THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


PERCY'S  REVENGE: 


A  STORY  FOR  BOYS. 


CLARA    MULHOLLAND. 


BOSTON : 

THOMAS  B.  NOOXAN  &  CO. 

17,  19  Ain>  21  BOYLSTOX  ST. 

1887. 


CASHMAN,  KEATING  &  Co. 

ELECTEOTYPERS  AND  PRINTERS, 

597  WASHINGTON  ST. 


CONTENTS. 


Chap.  Page 

I.  HUGH  BROWN'S  HOME 5 

II.  HUGH  BEGINS  TO  WORK 22 

III.  HUGH  MAKES  A  FRIEND 35 

IV.  PERCY  AT  HOME 52 

V.  SUSIE  HAS  A  TREAT 67 

VI.  PERCY  HEARS  SOME  NE\VS 84 

VII.  GREAT  CHANGES  FOR  ALL 101 

VIII.  AN  UNEXPECTED  VISITOR 119 

IX.  AUNT  LYDIA  SEES  A  GHOST 133 

X.  GOOD  RESOLUTIONS 147 

XI.  BURGLARS  IN  THE  HOUSE 173 

XII.  A  STRANGE  CONFESSION 188 

XIII.  PERCY  GIVES  WAY  TO  DESPAIR 205 

XIV.  IN  THE  PARLOR  OF  THE  RED  LION  INN  .    .  221 
XV.  SIR  HENRY  RECEIVES  A  SHOCK 240 

XVI.  REMORSE 253 

XVII.  CONVALESCENCE 272 

XVIII.  JOE  BRADLEY'S  STORY 286 

XIX.  FORGIVENESS                                                .  302 


484085 

LIBRARY 


PERCY'S  REVENGE. 


CHAPTER  I. 

HUGH   BBOWX'8   HOME. 

"  AAOTHER»  mother,  IVe    got  the  prize. 

1  Yl  Hurra !  Hurra !  I  am  a  lucky  chap," 
cried  Hugh  Brown,  as  he  dashed  noisily  into 
the  parlor  where  his  mother  sat  at  work. 

"  Gently,  dear  Hugh,  or  you  will  wake  poor 
Susie,  and  she  has  not  been  very  well  all  day," 
said  Mrs.  Brown,  in  a  whisper.  ««  But  show 
me  your  prize,  dear.  I  am  very  glad  you  have 
won  it."  And  drawing  the  eager  boy  to  her 
side,  she  kissed  him  tenderly. 

"  There  was  such  fun  at  school  to-day, 
mother,"  he  said,  glancing  at  the  cot  wherein 
his  little  sister  lay,  and  lowering  his  voice. 
••  As  it  was  an  extra  prize  given  for  holiday 
work,  there  was  great  excitement  over  it,  and 
(5) 


PERCY S     REVENGE  : 


when  my  name  was  called  out,  the  fellows 
cheered  and  shouted  tremendously.  Mr.  Smith 
said  I  had  worked  well,  and  that  I  was  the  best 
pupil  he  had." 

"  I  am  quite  sure  of  that,  Hugh." 

"  Well,  you  see,  mother,  I  want  to  get  on 
as  fust  as  ever  I  can  to  help  you  and  father. 
But  some  of  the  fellows  were  very  jealous  and 
disagreeable  about  it.  Harry  Jones  turned  up 
his  nose,  and  said  he  was  just  as  clever  as  I 
was,  and  he  could  have  got  the  prize  if  he  had 
wanted  to,  only  he  didn't  work  for  it." 

"But  why  didn't  he?" 

"  Oh,  he  was  in  the  country,  he  said,  and 
he  wasn't  going  to  spend  his  holidays  stewing 
over  Latin  verses.  But"  — 

"My  poor  Hugh,  I  wish  you  had  been  in 
the  country,"  said  his  mother,  sadly.  "  These 
hot  summer  months  in  London,  and  the  long 
hours  you  spent  over  your  work,  have  made 
you  pale  and  thin." 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it,  mother  mine.  Don't  you 
go  fretting  about  me,  for  I'm  as  well  as  pos- 
sible. I  feel  so  glad  about  my  prize,"  and 
Hugh  hugged  his  big  book  lovingly. 

"  Yes,  dearest,  so  am  I,  and  I  am  sure  your 
father  will  be  delighted." 


A    STORY    FOR    BOYS. 


"That  he  will,"  cried  Hugh,  brightly. 
"But,  mother,  why  is  father  so  late?  I  was 
sure  he  would  have  been  at  home.  He  is  not 
generally  out  at  this  hour." 

' '  No ;  and  I  cannot  think  what  is  keeping 
him.  He  expected  to  be  back  by  five  o'clock. 
He  went  into  the  city  on  business,  Hugh." 

"  Into  the  city?  "  said  Hugh,  quickly.  "  Is 
he  really  going  to  take  to  an  office  again  ?  Poor 
father,  it  will  be  hard  on  him." 

"  Yes,  he  will  feel  it  greatly,  for  he  cannot 
bear  the  drudgery  of  office  work,"  said  Mrs. 
Brown,  sighing.  "  But  something  must  be 
done.  No  publisher  will  buy  his  books  and 
stories,  and  we  have  only  a  few  pounds  left 
to  live  upon.  If  he  does  not  get  this  place 
that  he  has  gone  to  see  about,  we  must  fall 
very  low,  indeed." 

"How  I  wish  I  was  old  enough  to  work. 
Then  father  could  sit  at  home  and  write  his 
books  in  peace,  and  you  could  make  pretty 
frocks  for  Susie,  instead  of  those  horrid  shirts 
that  blind  your  eyes,  and  bring  you  in  so  little 
money." 

"Very  little,  dear,  but  I  am  thankful  to  be 
able  to  earn  it." 

"  Of  course  ;  I  know  you  are.     But  suppos- 


8  PERCY'S   REVENGE  : 

ing  I  were  a  merchant  or  a  barrister  earning 
heaps  and  heaps  of  money,  you  wouldn't  think 
much  of  it,  I  can  tell  you.  I'd  bring  you  home 
every  penny,  and  you  might  just  do  what  you 
liked  with  it.  Wouldn't  that  be  jolly,  mother 
mine  ?  " 

"Delightful,  dearest.  But  my  Hugh  must 
grow  big  and  strong,  and  learn  a  great  many 
things  before  he  can  hope  to  earn  any  money. 
Boys  of  thirteen  can  only  study  well,  be  good 
and  obedient,  and  so  prepare  themselves  to  be 
clever,  industrious  men." 

"Yes,  I  know;  but  it  does  take  a  fellow  so 
long  to  grow  up — at  least  when  he's  longing, 
longing  to  help  his  mother." 

"So  it  does,  dear.  But  you  do  help  your 
mother,  Hugh,  in  more  ways  than  you  imagine." 

"Do  I,  mother?  I  am  so  glad.  But  still  I 
should  like  to  earn  money  for  you." 

"And  so  you  shall,  some  day.  Meanwhile, 
my  Hugh  must  be  patient,  and  do  the  work 
that  lies  before  him  —  the  work  that  God 
wishes  him  to  do.  If  your  father  gets  this 
situation  in  the  city  and  keeps  it,  I  shall  be 
truly  thankful  and  able  to  manage  nicely." 

"Oh,  I  hope  he  may  get  it.  I  am  sure  he 
will,"  cried  Hugh  with  a  loving  kiss.  "And 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  9 

now  I  think  I'll  run  down  to  the  door  and  wait 
till  I  see  father  come  up  the  street.  I  want  to 
be  the  first  to  tell  him  the  good  news  about  my 
prize.  And,  mother,  if  he  has  got  that  place, 
I'll  just  give  a  cheer  on  the  stairs,  and  then 
you'll  know." 

"No,  dear,  please  do  not  mind  cheering. 
You  might  wake  Susie." 

"Of  course.  What  a  duffer  I  am.  Well, 
you  will  soon  know  when  you  see  our  faces. 
I'll  grin  from  ear  to  ear  with  joy  if  it's  all 
right.  Dear  little  Susican,  as  if  I  would  wake 
you,  even  with  good  news,"  he  whispered ;  and 
running  to  the  cot,  he  gazed  fondly  down  on 
the  little  sleeper,  a  delicate-looking  child  '  of 
four  years  old.  "  Mother,  when  I  grow  big 
and  earn  all  that  money,  we'll  take  Susie  to 
the  country.  That  will  bring  the  roses  to  her 
cheeks.  But  ta-ta,  I  must  not  build  any  more 
castles  in  the  air.  (A.u  reservoir,'  as  Lord  Tom 
Noddy  says,"  and  taking  up  his  cap,  Hugh  ran 
out  of  the  room,  and  down  the  stairs,  singing 
merrily  as  he  went. 

"That  prize  has  turned  the  boy's  head,  I 
think,"  said  his  mother,  with  a  smile,  and 
glancing  anxiously  at  the  cot.  But  Susie  still 
slept  peacefully,  quite  undisturbed  by  her 


10  PERCY'S   REVENGE  : 

brother's  noisy  exit ;  so  Mrs.  Brown  poked 
the  fire,  trimmed  her  lamp,  and  applied  her- 
self diligently  to  her  shirt-making. 

And  now,  as  the  poor  lady  bends  patiently 
over  her  work,  I  will  tell  my  readers,  in  as 
few  words  as  possible,  the  history  of  this  little 
family.  Some  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  before 
the  beginning  of  this  story,  a  foolish  young 
couple  resolved  to  get  married  in  spite  of  the 
strong  opposition  of  their  friends. 

Philip  Brown  was  a  young  man  of  literary 
tastes  and  some  ability ;  but,  who,  work  as  he 
would,  found  it  very  hard  to  live  upon  what  he 
made  by  his  pen.  And  as  the  girl  he  wished 
to  make  his  wife  was  the  child  of  rich  parents, 
the  match  was  considered  most  unsuitable. 
But  the  young  people  were  self-willed,  and, 
taking  matters  into  their  own  hands,  got 
married  without  waiting  for  any  one's  permis- 
sion. 

Philip's  friends  were  few  and  poor,  and 
could  do  nothing  to  help  him.  His  wife's 
father  was  very  wealthy ;  but  so  angry  was  he 
with  her,  that  he  refused  to  have  anything  to 
do  with  her,  and  never  saw  her  again.  She 
had  chosen  to  disobey  him,  she  must  sufier  for 
her  disobedience. 


A   STOBY   FOR   BOYS.  11 

But,  at  last,  hearing  melancholy  accounts  of 
the  wretched  condition  to  which  the  young 
people  were  reduced,  he  offered  to  give  them 
a  certain  sum  of  money,  if  they  would  go  to 
Australia,  and  never  trouble  him  more.  This 
they  gladly  agreed  to  do,  and  hi  a  short  time 
the  husband  and  wife  were  on  their  way  to 
the  Bush. 

There  they  remained  for  several  years,  and 
although  their  life  was  a  hard  one,  yet  it  was 
fairly  happy.  There  little  Hugh  was  born  ;  and 
as  he  grew  up  strong  and  healthy,  he  brought 
joy  and  happiness  into  the  lonely  cottage. 

But  when  Hugh  was  nine  years  old,  a  sudden 
change  came  in  their  lives. 

Without  any  apparent  cause,  Philip  grew 
restless ;  declared  himself  weary  of  the  wild 
life  in  the  bush,  and  giving  up  his  work  there, 
went  off  to  Melbourne,  where  he  obtained  a 
situation  as  clerk  in  a  bank. 

Poor  Mrs.  Brown  was  pained  by  this  strange 
conduct ;  but  finding  it  useless  to  remonstrate, 
she  settled  down  as  cheerfully  as  she  could, 
and  tried  to  make  the  best  of  everything. 

Then  poor  little  delicate  Susie  was  born,  and 
the  mother  longed  for  the  fresh  country  air  to 
bring  the  roses  to  her  darling's  cheeks.  But 


12    •  PERCY'S   REVENGE  : 

her  husband  seemed,  happy  in  the  town,  and 
she  strove  to  be  content. 

But  soon  Philip  became  dissatisfied  once 
more,  and  throwing  up  his  situation,  hurried 
his  wTife  and  children  off  to  London,  where  he 
established  them  in  shabby  lodgings  in  a  small 
street  off  Tavistock  Square. 

\\liy  her  husband  made  this  move  and  spent 
so  much  of  their  hard-earned  savings  on  such 
a  useless  journey,  Mrs.  Brown  could  not  un- 
derstand. He  gave  her  no  explanation  of  his 
conduct,  telling  her  simply  that  they  were  to 
return  to  England,  as  he  found  it  dreary  work 
living  in  Australia. 

And  when  they  reached  London,  to  her  sur- 
prise and  alarm,  he  sought  for  no  employment. 

In  Melbourne  he  had  worked  in  a  bank,  and 
earned  sufficient  for  their  daily  wants  ;  but  here 
he  shut  himself  up  in  the  house  from  morning 
till  night  writing. 

"Philip,"  said  his  wife,  "our  money  is  al- 
most gone.  What  shall  we  do  when  it  is 
spent  ? " 

"  Do  not  be  alarmed,  little  woman,"  he 
answered,  pointing  to  a  pile  of  manuscript. 
"  There  is  something  that  will  make  our  for- 
tune. I  have  written  a  book,  dear,  and  when 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  13 

it  is  published  you  and  I  shall  be  rich.  So 
do  not  fret  about  money." 

But  Mrs.  Brown  could  not  help  fretting,  as 
month  after  month  passed  away,  and  her  purse 
became  lighter  and  lighter. 

The  book  had  been  finished  and  sent  from 
one  publisher  to  another ;  but,  alas,  without 
success.  It  was  always  declined  "  with  thanks," 
and  there  was  no  money  forthcoming  to  keep 
the  family  from  want. 

Then,  at  last,  Mrs.  Brown  implored  her  hus- 
band to  look  for  some  employment  by  which 
he  could  earn  bread  for  his  children. 

Disappointed  and  disgusted  at  the  failure  of 
his  book,  Philip  did  as  she  desired.  But  his 
heart  was  not  in  his  work  ;  he  was  careless  and 
inattentive,  and  soon  received  notice  to  leave 
the  office. 

Again  he  tried  to  write  a  successful  book ; 
again  failed,  and  once  more  went  out  in  search 
of  a  situation. 

This  he  was  fortunate  enough  to  obtain  ;  and, 
had  he  been  hard-working  and  steadfast,  all 
would  have  been  well.  But  he  was  neither, 
and  was  always  dreaming  of  the  great  things 
he  might  do  with  his  pen. 

At  the  end  of  the  second  year,  a  short  tale 


14  PERCY'S   REVENGE  : 

was  published  in  a  magazine ;  and,  wild  with 
excitement,  he  again  threw  up  his  situation ; 
and,  telling  his  wife  that  he  was  now  certain  to 
get  on,  buried  himself  in  his  papers. 

But,  alas,  success  was  as  far  off  as  ever ;  and 
after  plodding  for  many  months  at  a  book, 
and  suffering  many  bitter  disappointments  in 
having  it  returned  to  him,  he  flung  it  aside ; 
and  vowing  that  he  would  never  write  another 
story,  went  off  to  the  city  to  answer  an  adver- 
tisement that  he  had  seen  in  the  Times. 

"  Poor  Philip,"  said  Mrs.  Brown,  with  a 
sigh,  as  she  pondered  over  the  sad  story  of  her 
life,  "  God  grant  that  you  may  get  this  place 
and  keep  it.  The  money  we  got  for  our  little 
place  in  Australia  is  all  but  gone.  What  I 
earn  by  my  shirt-making  is  very,  very  small ; 
and  unless  something  is  done,  I  know  not  what 
may  happen.  Poor  fellow,  would  that  you 
were  more  steadfast,  more  plodding.  How 
much  better  is  it  to  work  on  at  one  thing, 
even  if  the  pay  is  small,  than  to  strain  after 
something  great  but  uncertain.  Patience  and 
perseverance  are  truly  virtues  that  every  one 
should  cultivate.  I  hope  and  trust  that  my 
bright  Hugh  may  possess  them.  Then,  in- 
deed, he  will  be  a  comfort  to  me.  But,  my 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  15 

goodness,  what  can  that  noise  be?"  she  ex- 
claimed, as  the  sound  of  heavy  tramping  feet 
was  heard  coming  up  the  stairs.  "What  can 
they  be  bringing  up  ?  " 

At  this  moment  the  door  opened,  and  Hugh 
crept  into  the  room,  looking  startled  and  afraid. 

"Mother,  mother,  it's" — he  began.  But 
he  seemed  choking  and  the  words  refused  to 
come. 

"It's  what,  child?  Who  is  tramping  up  the 
stairs?  Why,  Hugh,  you  look  like  a  ghost. 
Let  me  go  and  see  what  is  the  matter." 

"Mother,  darling,"  whispered  the  boy,  "Ifs 
father.  They  say  he's  not  dead — but  —  oh  ! — 
he  looks  so  white  and  strange." 

"Looks  white  and  strange — but  is  not  dead. 
What  do  you  mean,  Hugh?  Why  do  you 
talk  in  such  a  manner?"  she  cried,  trembling 
with  fear. 

"Mother — he  is  ill — he" — 

"Where  child  —  where  is  your  father? 
Where  " — 

"Here — here  I  am,  dear.  But  don't  be 
frightened,  Lucy,"  said  Philip,  in  a  weak 
voice,  as  he  came  in,  leaning  on  an  old  man's 
arm.  "  I  fainted  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs,  and 
the  boy  was  startled." 


16  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"Philip,  Philip,  what  has  happened?  You 
who  were  always  so  strong?"  cried  the  poor 
woman,  throwing  herself  on  her  knees  beside 
him,  as  he  lay  panting  on  the  sofa. 

"It  isn't  much,  darling,"  he  whispered, 
4 '  but  this  weakened  me  ; "  and  as  he  removed 
the  handkerchief  that  he  held  to  his  mouth, 
she  saw,  with  horror,  that  it  was  covered  with 
blood. 

"Please,  ma'am,  an'  I  think  he  didn't  ought 
to  talk,"  said  the  old  man  who  had  helped 
him  home.  "Put  him  to  bed,  an'  make  him 
as  comfortable  as  you  can,  an'  he'll  be  all  right 
to-morrow,  I'm  thinkin'.  It  was  in  Oxford 
Street  it  happened,  just  as  he  was  goin'  across. 
A  big  omnibus  knocked  him  down,  an'  made 
him  turn  weak  like.  I  jumped  from  my  old 
cart,  an'  pulled  him  on  to  the  pavement. 
When  he  came  to,  the  policeman  was  for 
puttin'  him  in  a  cab,  but  he  seemed  agin'  it 
like,  so  I  just  put  him  in  my  cart  an'  brought 
him  where  he  telled  me  he  lived.  But,  Lor' 
love  ye,  there's  people  gets  run  over  every  day 
a'most,  an'  they're  none  the  worse  for  it.  Put 
him  in  bed,  ma'am,  an'  he'll  be  all  right  to- 
morrow. He's  just  a  bit  shaken,  an',  as  he 
says,  the  bleediu'  made  him  weak  like." 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  17 

But  the  unhappy  wife  was  too  terrified  to 
take  any  comfort  from  his  words,  and  gazed  at 
him  in  a  startled  manner,  as  if  she  did  not 
understand.  So,  seeing  that  he  could  do 
nothing  to  help  her,  the  old  man  bade  her 
"good-night,"  passed  out  of  the  room  and 
down  the  stairs,  sighing  as  he  went. 

"Do  not  fret,  Lucy  dear,  do  not  fret," 
whispered  Philip,  as  his  wife  sat  weeping  by 
his  bedside  some  few  hours  later;  "you  have 
made  me  nice  and  comfortable,  and,  please 
God,  I'll  soon  be  well  again." 

But  the  next  morning  he  was  so  weak  and 
ill  that  it  was  quite  impossible  for  him  to  get 
up,  and  his  wife  and  children  were  filled  with 
sorrow  as  they  watched  the  pale,  sad  face,  that 
they  had  known  so  bright  and  healthy.  He 
himself  kept  wonderfully  brave,  and,  in  spite 
of  his  own  misgivings,  did  what  he  could  to 
raise  their  drooping  spirits. 

"Never  mind,  dear,"  he  said,  with  a  faint 
smile,  and  kissing  little  Susie,  who  nestled 
close  to  his  side,  "I  must  just  rest  for  a  few 
days,  and  then  when  this  queer  pain  goes  away, 
I'll  be  as  strong  as  ever.  I  did  not  get  that 
situation,  Lucy,  but  I  heard  of  another  much 
better.  When  I  get  over  the  effects  of  this 


18  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

shock,  I'll  go  and  see  about  it.  I  am  sure  to 
get  it,  I  think.  So  don't  be  down-hearted, 
dear  wife,  but  try  and  look  cheerful,  like  this 
sweet  child  and  me." 

But  Mrs.  Brown  did  not  feel  satisfied  and 
sent  Hugh  off  for  the  doctor,  as  she  was  anxious 
to  know  if  her  husband  had  been  seriously  in- 
jured by  his  accident.  The  doctor  came  and 
examined  him  carefully ;  he  asked  him  to 
cough,  felt  his  pulse,  and  then  told  him  gently 
to  keep  very  quiet.  The  unhappy  wife  fol- 
lowed the  doctor  down  the  stairs ;  and  as  time 
went  on,  and  she  did  not  return,  Philip  grew 
restless  and  uneasy.  Hugh  did  what  he  could 
to  soothe  him  ;  but,  at  last,  finding  this  difficult, 
he  ran  out  of  the  room  to  look  for  his  mother. 
Sitting  on  the  stairs,  her  face  bathed  in  tears, 
her  whole  frame  shaken  with  sobs  of  bitter 
anguish,  was  poor  Mrs.  Brown. 

"  Hugh,  Hugh,"  she  cried,  pressing  the  boy 
in  her  arms.  "  It  makes  me  wild  with  grief 
to  see  your  father  so  ill  —  so  weak.  But  do 
not  let  him  know  that  I  am  weeping.  The 
doctor  says  we  must  keep  him  cheerful,  so 
don't  cry  my  little  man.  Go  in  again  and  tell 
him  I  have  gone  to  get  him  some  medicine." 

Very  bravely  Hugh  choked  back  the  tears 


A   STOET  FOR  BOYS.  19 

that  came  into  his  eyes  at  the  sight  of  his  be- 
loTed  mother's  grief;  and  trying  hard  to  look 
bright  and  pleasant,  returned  to  his  father's 
room. 

Little  Susie  had  fallen  asleep,  her  curly  head 
resting  comfortably  on  the  sick  man's  breast ; 
so  the  boy  delivered  his  mothers  message  in  a 
whisper,  and  sat  down  by  the  bedside. 

"  Read  to  me,  Hugh,"  said  his  Cither.  "  It 
will  help  to  pass  the  time  for  me,  and  Susie 
will  not  hear  you.  She  is  too  fast  asleep  to  be 
easily  disturbed." 

"  Yes,  Either,  with  great  pleasure,11  said 
Hugh,  and  taking  down  his  prize,  a  richly 
bound  copy  of  the  Xew  Testament,  he  began 
to  read  in  a  clear,  distinct  voice.  The  sick  man 
turned  his  eyes  with  delight  upon  his  son,  and 
listened  attentively  to  the  beautiful  and  consol- 
ing words. 

When  Mrs.  Brown  returned  with  the  medi- 
cine, all  traces  of  sorrow  had  disappeared,  and 
die  spoke  so  cheerfully  that  both  Philip  and 
and  Hugh  were  reassured  by  her  manner,  and 
did  not  realize  the  silent  agony  she  was  endur- 
ing- 

The  doctor  came  every  day,  and  Mrs.  Brown 
looked  out  eagerly  for  his  coming.  But  alas  ! 


20  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

his  visits  did  not  comfort  her,  for  long  and  bit- 
ter were  the  fits  of  weeping  that  came  upon  her 
after  he  went  away. 

Days  and  weeks  passed  over.  The  doctor 
came  and  went ;  but  Philip  still  lay  on  his  sick 
bed ;  and  the  poor  woman's  heart  sank  low,  as 
she  saw  starvation  and  want  staring  her  in  the 
face.  Long  and  earnest  were  her  prayers  to 
God,  for  she  found  it  hard  to  resign  herself 
without  bitterness  to  his  holy  will.  But  she 
struggled  bravely,  and  tried  her  best  to  be 
humble  and  submissive. 

Every  moment  she  could  spare,  from  attend- 
ance on  the  sick  man,  was  devoted  to  needle- 
work ;  but  the  little  she  could  earn  in  this  way 
was  not  enough  to  keep  her  family  from  want. 
In  all  London  she  had  not  a  friend  to  whom 
she  could  go  for  aid ;  and  she  knew  not  what 
to  do. 

Hugh  had  left  school  and  did  all  he  could  to 
help  his  mother ;  but  his  face  wore  a  sad  look 
that  pierced  the  poor  woman's  heart,  as  she 
thought  of  all  his  dreams  for  the  future  shat- 
tered and  gone  forever. 

"  My  poor  Hugh  ;  my  bright,  clever  boy," 
she  murmured.  "  To  think  what  you  might 
have  been,  and  what  you  must  be  now,  since  I 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  21 

can  no  longer  keep  you  at  school.  And  my 
little  Susie,  with  her  sweet,  delicate  face,  must 
I  take  her  to  the  workhouse  or  allow  her  to  die 
of  starvation?  Oh,  father,  were  you  alive  I 
would  go  to  you,  brave  your  anger,  and  implore 
your  assistance  for  my  unhappy  family.  But 
alas !  you  are  dead ;  you,  my  mother  —  my 
only  sister  —  all  dead,  and  there  is  not  a  soul 
to  whom  I  could  go  in  my  dire  distress.  My 
God,  my  God,  have  mercy  on  me  and  mine," 
and  bowing  her  head  upon  the  table  before  her, 
she  wept  aloud  in  her  anguish. 

How  long  she  remained  in  this  position  she 
never  knew  ;  but,  as  she  sat,  she  felt  a  pair  of 
arms  round  her  neck,  a  little  cheek  against  her 
own,  and  Hugh  whispered  joyfully  in  her  ear : 

"  Look  up  mother,  and  don't  cry  any  more, 
I  have  thought  of  a  plan  —  a  fine  plan  —  and  I 
am  going  to  earn  heaps  of  money  for  you  and 
father.  I  am,  indeed,  and  I  am  going  to  begin 
to-morrow." 


CHAPTER  II. 

HUGH   BEGINS   TO   WORK. 

THE  next  morning,  as  the  clock  struck  four, 
Hugh  tumbled  out   of  bed,  and,  lifting 
the    curtain    that    hung    before    his   window, 
peeped  out. 

It  was  a  regular  November  morning,  wet, 
foggy,  and  cold.  But  this  seemed  to  please 
our  young  friend  immensely,  for  he  cut  capers 
of  delight  when  he  saw  the  state  of  the  weather. 

"The  very  thing,"  he  cried.  "A  right 
down  jolly  sort  of  a  day  for  what  I  want,'' 
and  he  dressed  himself  quickly,  whistling  gayly 
as  he  donned  a  much-patched,  shabby-looking 
suit.  Then  kneeling  by  his  bedside,  he  clasped 
his  hands  devoutly,  and  raising  his  blue  eyes 
to  heaven,  begged  God  to  bless  and  help  him 
in  this  work  that  he  was  about  to  undertake 
for  the  sake  of  his  sick  father  and  suffering 
mother. 

(22) 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  23 

Then,  feeling  strong  and  courageous,  he 
slipped  down  to  the  little  sitting-room,  where 
he  found  his  mother  ready  to  give  him  his 
breakfast. 

"  What  do  you  think  of  me,  mother  dear?" 
he  asked,  with  a  merry  laugh,  as  he  kissed  her, 
and  bade  her  good-morning.  "Don't  I  look 
«  spiffing/  as  Jack  Martin  'says  ?  " 

"  Indeed,  you  look  very  shabby,  dear  Hugh," 
said  his  mother,  sadly.  **  And  I  cannot  bear 
to  see  you  start  off  on  such  a  foolish  errand. 
It  is  a  dreadful  morning,  dear,  so  just  stay 
where  you  are." 

"  A  dreadful  morning  is  exactly  what  I  want, 
mother  dear ;  for  if  it  was  fine  I  might  as  well 
stay  at  home,"  he  answered  gayly.  "A  sunny 
day  would  ruin  me.  So  you  ought  to  be  glad 
to  see  the  ram." 

"  My  poor  boy,  how  could  I  be  glad?"  she 
cried,  with  tears  in  her  eyes.  "  Why,  it  almost 
kills  me  to  think  of  my  son  starting  off  in  the 
drenching  rain  to  take  to  such  work  —  such 
low,  degrading  work." 

"  Now,  mother  dear,  don't  think  of  it  that 
way.  It's  the  only  work  that  I  can  do  just  at 
present,  so  don't  try  to  turn  me  from  it.  I've 


24  PERCY'S   REVENGE  : 

had  a  fine   breakfast,  and  this  coat  is  warm, 
although  it  is  a  little  patched." 

"  My  poor  lad,  you  have  a  brave  heart,  and 
God  will  bless  you  for  doing  your  best,"  she 
said,  with  a  kiss.  "  You  are  a  great  comfort 
to  me,  Hugh,  in  this  time  of  terrible  trouble." 

"That  is  grand  news,  mother  dear,  and 
makes  me  happier  than  anything  I  have  heard 
for  a  long  time.  And  now,  keep  up  your 
spirits,  for  if  I  can  earn  a  little  money,  just 
to  help  us  to  keep  things  going,  till  father 
is  able  to  go  after  that  situation,  it  will  be 
a  jolly  good  thing,  and  won't  do  me  a  bit 
of  harm.  Good-by,  mother ;  I  must  be  off." 

Then  he  kissed  her  long  and  lovingly,  took 
up  a  little  broom  that  stood  ready  in  the 
corner,  and  putting  on  an  old,  tattered  cap, 
sprang  lightly  down  the  stairs. 

It  was  bitterly  cold,  and  Hugh  shivered  and 
coughed,  as  the  thick,  yellow  fog  went  down 
his  throat. 

' '  Poor  mother  was  right.  It  is  a  bad  morn- 
ing to  be  out.  But  if  I  can  just  do  what  I 
want  and  earn  a  little  money  to  take  home,  I 
shan't  mind  how  disagreeable  it  is.  It  is  a 
right  good  thing  I  thought  of  this  kind  of 
work,  for  it  is  easy  enough,  and  pretty  certain 


A  STORY   FOR  BOYS.  25 

even  if  it  is  unpleasant;''  and  drawing  his 
jacket  more  tightly  round  him,  he  splashed 
bravely  through  the  mud. 

On  and  on  went  Hugh,  up  one  street  and 
down  another,  looking  out  anxiously  for  a 
crossing  that  required  sweeping.  But  at  every 
corner  he  found  a  man  or  woman,  armed  like 
himself,  with  a  good  stout  broom.  This  was 
a  state  of  affairs  he  had  not  counted  upon ;  and, 
as  the  morning  wore  on,  his  hopes  of  earning 
any  money  gradually  vanished.  So,  feeling 
weary  and  disheartened,  he  leaned  against  a 
shop  window  and  began  to  cry. 

He  had  wandered  several  miles  from  home, 
and  was  now  in  the  busy  Strand.  There  was 
plenty  of  mud  and  many  crossings  to  be  swept ; 
but,  alas,  for  Hugh,  there  were  crowds  of 
sweepers,  and  not  a  spot  for  him  and  his  little 
broom. 

As  he  stood  gazing  about  him  la  silent  de- 
spair, his  eye  fell  upon  a  hobbling  old  man, 
who  knocked  the  mud  about  in  a  lazy  fashion 
and  grumbled  audibly  when  an  occasional  cop- 
per was  thrown  to  him  by  a  passer-by.  He 
was  a  sour-faced  fellow,  and  Hugh  noticed  that 
few  persons  gave  him  anything,  whilst  many 


26  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

shuddered  and  hurried  away  when  he  spoke 
to  them. 

"  That's  a  queer-looking  old  man,"  thought 
Hugh.  "  But  he's  jolly  lucky  to  have  found  a 
crossing  to  sweep.  I  wish  I  could  get  one," 
and  sighing  heavily,  he  turned  away  his 
head. 

"Well,  young  un.  What  are  yer  after?" 
and,  turning  round,  Hugh  saw  the  old  crossing- 
sweeper  peering  at  him  from  under  two  bushy 
eyebrows. 

"I'm  after  work,"  replied  Hugh,  growing 
very  red.  "But  there  doesn't  seem  to  be 
much  to  do  about  here  at  least." 

"  Oh,  there's  plenty  of  work,  but  little  pay," 
grumbled  the  old  man.  "But  see  'ere  now, 
yers  got  a  hinnocent  face,  an'  that  allus  pays. 
So,  I'll  give  yer  my  place  on  the  crossin',  if 
yer'll  give  me  'arf  of  all  yer  gets  to-day. ' 

"Very  well,"  answered  Hugh.  "But  I'm 
afraid  that  won't  be  much,  for,  there  doesn't 
seem  to  be  much  money  going  about.  How- 
ever, I  may  as  well  work,  when  I  get  the 
chance,  so  here  goes." 

"I'll  keep  my  heye  on  yer,  my  fine  cove," 
cried  the  old  fellow.  "  I'll  watch  every  penny 
yer  gets ;  but,  first  of  all,  I  must  go  in  an'  get 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  27 

a  drop  o'  gin  to  warm  myself; "  and  off  he 
hobbled,  leaving  Hugh  master  of  the  crossing. 

For  many  hours,  the  poor  boy  remained  at 
his  post,  working  and  sweeping,  but  without 
much  profit. 

The  rain  fell  in  torrents,  and  few  persons 
were  out,  except  those  who  were  hurrying  to 
their  work,  and  they,  poor  souls,  had  not 
many  pence  to  throw  to  the  crossing-sweepers. 
The  old  man  did  not  return  from  warming 
himself,  and  Hugh  felt  a  great  desire  to  throw 
down  his  broom  and  go  after  him.  But  the 
thought  of  his  sick  father  and  anxious  mother 
kept  him  to  his  work,  and  he  continued 
his  sweeping,  hoping  and  praying  that  some 
kind,  well-to-do  persons  might  soon,  pass  by. 

And  presently  the  heavy  ram  ceased;  the 
thick  fog  cleared  away  and  a  pale,  sickly  sun 
came  struggling  through  the  clouds.  A  great 
change  soon  took  place  in  the  streets.  Carts, 
cabs,  and  carriages  crowded  the  roads,  and 
blocked  up  the  crossings.  Well-dressed,  happy- 
looking  people,  stood  watching  an  opportunity 
to  cross,  and  many  a  kindly  glance  fell  upon 
little  Hugh,  as  he  stood  grasping  his  muddy 
broom  in  his  frozen  hands.  Purses  were  drawn 
forth,  money  was  quickly  given,  and  the  tired 


28  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

boy  grew  light-hearted  and  happy,  as  he  heard 
the  pennies  rattling  in  his  pocket. 

At  last  the  weary  day  drew  to  a  close,  and 
as  darkness  came  on,  Hugh  felt  that  he  might 
go  home,  and  delight  his  mother  with  a  sight  of 
his  riches. 

But,  suddenly,  he  remembered  his  promise 
to  the  surly  old  man,  and  he  looked  about  to 
see  where  he  could  be. 

"  I  promised  him  half,  and  he  must  get  it," 
he  said.  "He  looks  cross  and  disagreeable, 
but  he  has  been  a  true  friend  to  me  ;  for  where 
should  I  have  gone  if  he  had  not  given  me  his 
crossing?  Where  can  he  be,  I  wonder?  I 
must  just  see  how  much  I  have  to  give  him 
when  he  turns  up." 

So,  talking  away  cheerfully  to  himself,  in 
spite  of  cold  and  wind,  Hugh  managed  to  count 
his  money,  and  found,  to  his  delight,  that  he 
had  five  shillings. 

Putting  half  of  his  little  fortune  in  one 
pocket  and  the  remaining  half  in  the  other,  he 
was  about  to  begin  his  search  for  his  surly 
friend  when  a  tall,  handsome  gentleman  passed 
quickly  over  the  crossing. 

Drawing  out  his  purse  as  he  went  along,  he 
tossed  something  to  Hugh,  and  disappeared. 


A   STOBY  FOR  BOYS.  29 

Laughing  merrily  at  this  unexpected  addition 
to  his  wealth,  the  boy  stooped  to  pick  np,  as 
he  thought,  a  penny,  and  found,  to  his  amaze- 
ment, a  bright  new  sixpence. 

"Threepence  more  for  old  Sour-Face,"  said 
Hugh,  gayly.  "  Why,  if  I  hadn't  to  give  him 
some  of  the  money  I'd  be  quite  rich.  But, 
never  mind,  I  shan't  give  him  any  to-morrow, 
and  two  and  ninepence  isn't  bad  for  a  begin- 
ning. But,  where  is  the  old  boy  ?  Holloa, 
what  on  earth  is  that?" 

As  he  stood  swinging  his  broom  to  and  fro 
in  the  mud,  it  suddenly  knocked  against  some- 
thing hard,  and,  looking  down,  Hugh  saw  a 
large,  leather  pocket-book,  with  silver  corners, 
and  a  raised  monogram  on  one  side.  Picking 
it  up,  he  rubbed  it  with  his  sleeve ;  wondered 
at  its  beauty,  and  then  gazed  about  anxiously 
to  see  if  any  one  was  coming  back  in  search 
of  it. 

But  as  no  person  appeared  to  claim  it, 
Hugh  put  it  into  an  inside  pocket,  and  button- 
ing his  jacket  tightly  over  it,  said,  with  a 
laugh  :  "  Old  Sour-Face  must  not  see  this  or 
he  might  want  to  walk  off  with  it.  Perhaps 
some  one  may  come  to  look  for  it  to-morrow, 
so  I  shall  keep  it  to  myself.  I  am  sure  it 


30  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

belongs  to  that  nice  gentleman  who  gave  me 
the  sixpence.  But  where  is  that  man?  If  he 
does  not  appear  I  shall  have  to  run  home  with- 
out giving  him  his  money." 

Hugh  wandered  up  and  down  for  some  time 
longer ;  but  not  a  trace  of  the  crossing-sweeper 
could  he  see.  At  last,  growing  weary,  he  was 
about  to  shoulder  his  broom  and  start  off 
home,  when  he  caught  sight  of  the  old  fellow 
coming  staggering  towards  him. 

"  Ha,  ha,  yer  young  warmint,  yer  thought 
to  be  oflf  with  all  the  coin,"  he  shouted.  "  But 
I  'ave  yer  now  !  'And  over  what's  mine,  yer 
young  thief." 

His  cheeks  were  red,  his  gait  unsteady,  and, 
seeing  that  the  poor  creature  had  been  taking 
more  gin  than  was  good  for  him,  Hugh  thought 
it  best  to  say  as  few  words  to  him  as  possi- 
ble. 

"  Here  is  your  share  of  the  money.  Thank 
you  for  letting  me  sweep  on  your  crossing,"  he 
said,  and,  pushing  the  pennies  into  the  man's 
pocket,  he  ran  off  as  fast  as  his  stiff  legs  would 
carry  him. 

The  way  home  was  long  and  dreary,  but 
Hugh  heeded  it  not.  He  felt  so  rich  and 
happy  that  he  sang  out  merrily  as  he  went, 


A   STORT  FOR  BOYS.  31 

and  was  quite  surprised  when  he  found  himself 
at  his  own  door. 

Poor  Mrs.  Brown  burst  into  tears  when  she 
saw  him  enter  the  house,  covered  with  mud. 
But  Hugh  only  laughed ;  and  shaking  his  curly 
head,  threatened  to  throw  his  arms  round  her 
neck  if  she  did  not  cheer  up  and  look  pleased. 

"  I  earned  two  and  ninepence  to-day,  mother, 
and  111  get  more  to-morrow,"  he  cried.  "  So 
you  must  not  be  miserable  because  Pm  not 
clean.  Xo  fellow  could  be  after  a  day  in  the 
mud ;  but,  all  the  same,  I  feel  as  happy  as  "  — 

"  My  own  brave  boy,  my  good  little  Hugh," 
whispered  his  mother,  through  her  tears. 
"  But  come,  dear,  you  must  warm  yourself  and 
change  your  clothes  at  once.  Your  father  is 
asleep ;  so  slip  into  the  parlor  and  stay  there 
by  the  fire,  till  I  get  you  some  hot  water  to 
wash  in." 

"  Mother,  mother,"  cried  Hugh,  laughing, 
"  are  you  dreaming?  Just  look  at  the  state  I  am 
in.  Why,  if  I  went  into  the  parlor,  you  would 
have  to  send  for  the  mud-man  to  cart  away  the 
mud.  But  here's  the  money.  Count  it  whilst 
I  am  having  a  scrub,"  and,  with  a  joyful  heart, 
the  boy  Climbed  up  the  rickety  stair  to  the 
attic  where  he  slept. 


32  PERCY'S   REVENGE  : 

And  great  was  the  amount  of  scrubbing  and 
scraping  he  went  through  before  the  mud  was 
all  gone ;  but,  at  last,  with  shining  cheeks,  he 
crept  softly  into  the  parlor  and  sat  down  on  the 
floor  at  his  mother's  feet. 

"  Hoo,  Hoo,  'ou  a  dood,  dood  boy,"  cried 
tiny  Susie,  flinging  herself  into  his  arms. 
"Me  loves 'ou  so  muts,  so  muts,  betause  'ou 
bring  plenty  pennies  to  muver." 

"  My  poor  boy,  what  a  long  weary  day  you 
have  had,  and  how  hard  you  must  have  worked," 
cried  his  mother,  pressing  him  to  her  heart. 
"  This  money  will  be  a  help  to  me." 

"  Oh,  but  I  shall  get  plenty  more,  mother 
dear.  I'll  go  to  the  crossing  every  day  till 
father  gets  well.  There  was  an  old  chap  there 
that  let  me  sweep  in  his  place,  if  I  promised  to 
give  him  half  what  I  earned.  Only  for  that 
I'd  have  had  five  shillings  and  six  pence  to  bring 
home.  Think  of  that,  mother.  Why,  if  I  get 
that  every  day  we'll  be  quite  rich." 

"  But  I  do  not  like  the  work  for  you,  Hugh. 
It  is  too  like  begging.  I  cannot  bear  to  think 
of  niy  son  doing  such  work  ;  I  cannot,  indeed. 
It  is  hard  and  disagreeable,  and  unfit  for  a 
gentleman's  child." 

"•Yes,  mother,  I  know  it  is.     But  still,  as  I 


A   STORY   FOR  BOYS.  33 

am  small,  there  is  not  much  that  I  can  do. 
When  people  are  poor  they  must  just  do  what- 
ever turns  up.  They  ought  not  to  be  proud. 
I  would  not  like  to  spend  all  my  life  on  a  cross- 
ing ;  and,  please  God,  111  soon  get  something 
better  to  do." 

"  I  hope  and  trust  you  may,  dear  lad,  for 
the  very  thought  of  what  you  are  at  drives 
me  wild.  I  would  not  dare  to  tell  your 
father." 

"No,  mother,  do  not  tell  him.  It  would 
vex  him,  I  know.  But  still  I  must  go  on  ;  you 
must  not  prevent  me  going  to-morrow,  mother ; 
say  you  won't." 

"  My  child,  I  cannot  for  we  want  the  money 
so  badly.  You  may  go  to-morrow ;  but  I  shall 
ask  our  landlady  if  •  she  knows  any  one  who 
wants  an  errand  boy." 

"Anything  you  like,  mother.  My  only 
wish  is  to  help  you  as  much  as  I  can." 

"  You  are  a  good  boy,  Hugh,  a  dear  good 
boy.  But  come,  I  must  give  you  your  tea. 
You  are  very  hungry,  I  am  sure." 

"  I  should  just  think  I  was,"  cried  Hugh, 
gayly*  f°r  his  mother's  words  of  praise  had 
filled  his  heart  with  joy.  "I  am  so  hungry 
that  I  am  afraid  I  shall  eat  up  all  that  I  have 


34  PERCY'S   REVENGE  : 

earned,  and  you  won't  have  gained  anything 
after  all  my  work  on  the  crossing." 

So  Hugh  was  merry,  and  chatted  and 
laughed  as  he  ate  his  supper,  never  saying  a 
word  of  the  fatigue  he  felt,  lest  his  mother 
should  think  he  had  really  suffered,  and  begin 
to  fret  about  his  health. 

"  Take  me  to  de  crossing,  Hoo,"  cried  Susie, 
as  she  listened  with  delight  to  his  stories  of  the 
beautiful  Indies  and  fine  carriages  he  saw  there. 
* '  I  tink  it  would  be  very  nice  to  seep  up  de 
mud  vis  a  broom  and  see  all  de  pitty  people." 

But  Hugh  only  smiled,  and  told  her  that  she 
must  grow  big  first,  or  old  Sour-Face  would  run 
off  with  her  and  keep  her  for  his  own  little 
girl. 

And,  at  last,  the  poor  boy  grew  drowsy ;  his 
merry  tales  became  short,  and  he  fell  fast  asleep 
before  the  fire. 

With  great  difficulty  his  mother  got  him  up 
to  his  room,  where  she  put  him  to  bed,  as  if  he 
were  a  babe  once  more  ;  and  as  she  covered  him 
up  and  kissed  his  happy  face,  she  prayed  that 
God  would  keep  him  innocent  and  good,  amidst 
the  dangers  and  temptations  that  were  grow- 
ing up  around  him. 


CHAPTER  m. 

HUGH   MAKES    A   FRIEXD. 

THE  next  morning  Hugh  was  early  at  the 
crossing,  and,  as  old  Sour-Face  was  no- 
where to  be  seen,  he  took  his  stand  there  at 
once. 

But  he  soon  found  it  dreary,  disheartening 
work.  A  sharp  wind  had  set  in  during  the 
night,  and  the  streets  became  so  dry  and  clean 
that  there  was  little  sweeping  to  be  done  and 
no  money  to  be  earned. 

So  as  time  passed  on  and  his  pockets  re- 
mained empty,  Hugh  grew  very  miserable. 
He  was  cold,  tired,  and  hungry;  but,  as  he 
had  not  taken  a  single  copper,  he  could  not 
buy  even  a  crust  of  bread. 

But  as  he  stood,  swinging  his  broom  dis- 
consolately to   and  fro  hi  his  hand,  thinking 
sadly  of  the  sudden  failure  of  all  his  hopes, 
an  unknown  friend  came  to  his  assistance. 
(35) 


36  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

A  good-natured  "cabby,"  seeing  the  boy  so 
wretched  and  cold,  took  him  by  the  hand,  and, 
leading  him  into  the  pretty  shelter  in  Northum- 
berland Avenue,  treated  him  to  a  cup  of  hot 
coffee  and  a  piece  of  bread. 

Very  much  refreshed  and  full  of  gratitude  to 
the  stranger  for  his  kindness,  Hugh  was  about 
to  return  to  the  crossing,  when  he  suddenly 
remembered  the  pocket-book  that  he  had  found 
the  day  before  in  the  mud. 

He  had  been  so  tired  and  excited  after  his 
hard  work  that  he  had  forgotten  to  say  any- 
thing about  it  to  his  mother.  He  now  began 
to  wonder  who  the  owner  could  be. 

So  when  the  cabmen  went  off  to  their  stand 
and  he  found  himself  alone,  he  drew  out  the 
book  and  examined  it  carefully. 

It  was  very  handsome,  of  rich,  dark  leather, 
with  silver  corners,  and  the  letters  "  II.  R." 
artistically  entwined  in  a  finely-wrought  mono- 
gram. But  there  was  no  name,  no  address ; 
and,  as  Hugh  turned  it  over  and  over,  he  could 
find  nothing  that  would  help  him  to  restore  it 
to  its  owner. 

"It  is  very  thick  and  must  be  full  of  valu- 
able papers.  I  do  wish  I  knew  who  it  be- 
longed to,"  he  thought.  "The  best  way  to 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  37 

find  out  all  about  it  would  be  to  open  it  and 
look  at  the  things  inside.  But  it  is  locked, 
and  I  do  not  like  to  burst  it  open  until  I  ask 
mother  about  it.  Well,  there  is  nothing  to  be 
done  on  the  crossing  to-day,  I  am  sure ;  so  I 
think  I  will  run  off  at  once  and  ask  her  what 
she  would  advise  me  to  do." 

So,  buttoning  up  the  precious  book  in  his 
pocket,  he  took  up  his  broom  and  trudged 
away  home. 

When  Susie  saw  her  brother  coming  up  the 
stairs,  she  ran  to  meet  him  with  a  cry  of  joy. 
But  he  was  too  full  of  business  to  trouble  much 
about  her;  so  putting  her  gently  aside,  he 
knocked  at  the  door  of  his  father's  room. 

**  Mother,"  he  whispered,  '*  come  out  to  me 
for  a  minute." 

"  Why,  Hugh,  what  brings  you  home, 
dear?"  she  asked,  in  surprise.  "Is  there  no 
work  to  be  done  to-day?" 

"Not  much,  mother  dear;  but  it  will  be 
better  to-morrow,"  he  answered,  quickly. 
"Look  here,  I  found  this  on  the  crossing. 
I  want  you  to  tell  me  what  I  am  to  do  with  it." 

"  Restore  it  to  its  owner  at  once,  dear  boy," 
she  said.  "  It  is  very  handsome,  and  must  be- 
long to  some  rich  man." 


PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 


"Oh,  de  lovely  boot  —  de  lovely  boot," 
cried  Susie  ;  "  Dive  it  to  me,  Hoo.  Dive  it  to 
me,  'ou  own  'ittle  sissy." 

"No,  no,  dear;  I  can't,"  he  said,  smiling. 
"I  must  give  it  back  to  the  gentleman  who 
lost  it.  But,  mother  dear,  how  shall  I  ever 
find  him?  I  have  no  key  to  open  it  with,  and 
there  is  no  address  outside.  Shall  I  break  the 
lock,  and  see  if  there  is  anything  inside  to  tell 
us  who  the  owner  is  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  suppose  you  must,  dear." 

"  It  seems  such  a  pity,"  said  Hugh.  "  But, 
good  gracious,  why  there  it  goes  !  " 

As  he  spoke,  the  lock  flew  open  as  if  by 
magic,  and  something  fell  out  of  the  pocket- 
book,  and  rolled  into  a  corner.  It  looked 
bright  and  pretty,  so  Susie  dived  after  it ; 
and,  with  dancing  eyes,  held  up  a  beautiful 
diamond  ring  that  flashed  out  radiantly  in  the 
firelight. 

"  Muver,  muver,  look  what  I  have  found," 
cried  the  child.  "  Oh,  it  is  a  boofle  sing  !  " 

"But,  it  is  not  yours,  dear,"  said  Hugh, 
gently.  "  The  rings  and  this  money,"  holding 
up  a  crisp  ten-pound  note,  "  belong  to  the 
gentleman  who  dropped  the  pocket-book,  yes- 
terday." 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  39 

"But  'ou  found  it,"  said  Susie,  pouting, 
"  and  I  want  to  teep  it  wedgy  mats." 

"No,  no,  Susie,  that  would  not  be  honest; 
and  God  does  not  love  children  who  are  not 
honest  and  good.  We  must  give  it  back  as 
soon  as  we  can.  But,  mother,  wasn't  it  strange 
the  way  it  flew  open?  I  suppose  it  was  some 
secret  spring  that  I  touched  by  accident." 

"  I  suppose  so,  dear.  But  what  are  you 
to  do  with  these  treasures,  Hugh?  Is  there  no 
name  —  no  address  ?" 

'* I  do  not  see  any,  mother;  but,  perhaps, 
it's  amongst  these  papers.  I  do  wish  I  could 
find  out  who  it  belongs  to." 

"  Teep  it  'ousef,  Hoo  —  teep  it  'ousef,"  cried 
Susie,  gayly,  as  she  hopped  round  the  room  on 
one  leg.  "  Janie  Wheeler  found  sipsence  and 
she  buyed  such  a  lot  of  sects." 

"Little  tempter,"  cried  Hugh,  laughing. 
**  I  suppose  you  would  like  me  to  spend  this 
on  sweets,  eh?"  and  he  waved  the  bank-note 
above  his  head. 

"  Put  it  away,  Hugh,"  said  his  mother.  "  It 
is  better  not  to  make  a  joke  of  such  a  thing." 

"Oh,  mother  dear,  if  it  were  only  ours,"  he 
cried.  "  Think  of  all  it  would  do  for  us." 

"But  it  is  not  ours,  dear  boy.     Do   not 


40  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

think  of  such  a  thing  for  an  instant.  It  is  a 
dangerous  thought,  and  might  lead  to  sin.  My 
Hugh  has  surely  not  forgotten  the  Tenth  Com- 
mandment, that  forbids  us  to  covet  anything 
belonging  to  our  neighbor?" 

"Xo,  mother,  of  course  not,"  said  the  boy, 
gently ;  and  laying  the  note  aside,  he  con- 
tinued his  search  amongst  the  papers. 

"Here  is  something,"  he  said  presently. 
"It  is  just  possible  that  this  may  be  the  right 
address,"  and  he  handed  a  little  packet  to  his 
mother. 

Mrs.  Brown  took  it  from  him ;  and  as  she 
examined  it,  her  face  flushed  and  her  eyes 
filled  with  tears. 

"What  is  it,  mother?"  cried  Hugh,  throw- 
ing his  arms  round  her  neck.  "Why  do  you 
weep  ?  " 

"Look,"  she  said,  and  opening  the  paper  she 
showed  him  what  it  contained  :  two  little  silken 
curls,  one  dark,  the  other  fair,  tied  together  with 
a  faded  blue  ribbon  ;  outside  the  parcel  were  the 
words:  "Theoandher  child,  18 — ;  102  Hol- 
land Park." 

"It  is  very  pretty  hair,  mother,"  said  Hugh. 
"But  why  should  it  make  you  cry?" 

"Because,  dear,  I  had  once  a  sweet  sister, 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  41 

called  Theo.  Her  hair  was  dark,  and  grew  in 
soft  curls  like  that.  But  she  is  dead — dead 
many  years,  now." 

4 'Poor  little  mother.  But  I  never  knew 
you  had  a  sister,"  said  the  boy,  in  surprise. 
"You  never  told  me  of  her.  I  thought  you 
and  father  never  had  any  brothers  and  sisters." 

"I  had  one  sister,  Hugh ;  and  she  was  kind- 
hearted  and  loving.  But  I  never  talked  to 
you  about  my  family  before.  I  displeased  my 
father  when  I  was  young,  Hugh,  and  he  cast 
me  off.  Then  I  went  to  Australia,  and  never 
saw  any  of  them  again.  When  I  came  back  to 
London  all  were  dead  —  father,  mother,  and 
sister.  Poor  little  Theo  had  married,  but  died 
soon  after.  So  they  told  me  at  my  father's  old 
offices  in  the  city.  Their  information  was 
scant,  but  enough  for  me.  Since  they  were 
dead  I  cared  to  hear  no  more,  and  so  it  hap- 
pened that  I  never  even  heard  who  my  sister 
married." 

"No,"  said  Hugh,  thoughtfully.  "Well,  do 
you  know,  mother,  I  think  that  was  a  pity, 
for  he  might  have  been  a  friend  to  us  had  you 
found  him  out.  He  might  have  helped  us  for 
the  sake  of  his  dead  wife." 

"So  he  might,  dearest,  and  I  shall  make 


42  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

inquiries.  It  is  just  possible  that  he  might 
help  you  to  something  to  earn  your  bread, 
poor  boy." 

"Yes,  wouldn't  that  be  splendid?  Why, 
mother,  I  wonder  you  did  not  think  of  this 
long  ago." 

"I  did,  dearest.  But  it  seemed  so  hope- 
less," said  Mrs.  Brown,  with  a  sigh,  as  folding 
up  the  little  packet  she  replaced  it  in  the  pocket- 
book.  "And  now,  dear  boy,  let  us  consider 
what  it  is  best  to  do  with  this." 

"I  shall  take  it  off  at  once  to  Holland  Park," 
said  Hugh,  decidedly.  "It's  contents  are  very 
valuable,  and  I  shall  be  glad  to  get  rid  of  it." 

"But  you  are  tired,  to-day,  Hugh.  Don't 
you  think  you  might  wait  till  the  morning?" 

"No,  mother;  I  think  it  would  be  better  to 
go  at  once.  I  am  not  at  all  tired,  I  assure  you. 
I  am  longing  to  give  that  poor  gentleman  his 
precious  book.  I  am  sure  he  is  in  a  terrible 
way  about  it." 

"Well,  perhaps,  it  would  be  best  to  return 
it  at  once  ;  but,  Hugh,  put  on  another  suit  and 
make  yourself  neat." 

"Of  course,  mother  dear,"  said  Hugh,  gaily. 
"  You  don't  imagine  that  I'm  going  to  introduce 
myself  as  a  crossing-sweeper  at  Holland  Park  !" 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  43 

"  I  most  sincerely  hope  not,"  said  his  mother, 
gravely.  "It  would  not  be  necessary  to  men- 
tion the  fact  of  your  ever  having  done  such 
degrading  work." 

"Trust  me,  mother  mine.  I  shall  not  forget 
that  my  father  is  a  gentleman,  and  that  my 
mother  is — well,  fit  to  be  a  countess,"  and 
giving  her  a  loving  kiss,  he  ran  off  to  perform 
his  toilet. 

And  when  the  boy  came  down,  about  half  an 
hour  later,  dressed  and  ready  for  his  walk,  his 
mother  was  well  satisfied  with  his  appearance  ; 
she  felt  that  no  one  could  take  him  for  any- 
thing but  a  little  gentleman. 

Then  she  insisted  on  giving  him  his  dinner, 
before  he  started ;  and  so,  though  Hugh  hur- 
ried as  much  as  possible,  it  was  nearly  six 
o'clock  before  he  left  the  house. 

It  is  a  long  way  from  Tavistock  Square  to 
Holland  Park  ;  and  as  Hugh  had  walked  many 
miles  that  day,  it  would  not  have  been  aston- 
ishing had  he  felt  a  little  tired.  But  he  was  so 
full  of  delight  at  the  thoughts  of  the  pleasure 
he  was  about  to  give  the  owner  of  the  pocket- 
book,  that  he  did  not  feel  the  slightest  fatigue 
as  he  pushed  his  way  through  the  crowded 
streets. 


44  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

The  shops  looked  very  tempting  in  the  bril- 
liant gas-light,  and  he  stopped  now  and  again 
to  gaze  at  the  flaxen-haired  dolls  that  hung  in 
the  windows. 

"  Some  day  when  I  am  rich,  as  rich  as  the 
Lord  Mayor,  or  maybe  sooner,  I'll  buy  one  of 
those  for  Susie.  Won't  she  be  proud  and 
pleased,  poor  little  soul,"  he  said.  "  But,  I 
really  must  shut  my  eyes  to  these  pretty  .things, 
or  I  shan't  reach  Holland  Park  to-night."  And 
then  he  ran  on  whistling  and  singing,  deter- 
mined not  to  look  at  another  shop  till  he  was 
on  his  way  home  again. 

But  when,  at  last  he  reached  his  destination, 
a  great  fear  came  over  him.  The  house  looked 
so  large  and  splendid,  that  poor  Hugh  felt  in- 
clined to  drop  the  pocket-book  into  the  letter- 
box and  run  away. 

"  But  that  would  be  cowardly,"  he  said  to 
himself,  "  and  the  right  gentleman  might  never 
get  his  beautiful  things ;  for  perhaps  he  does 
not  live  here  at  all." 

So,  plucking  up  all  the  courage  he  could 
muster,  he  walked  slowly  up  to  the  hall-door 
steps  and  rang  the  bell. 

But  no  notice  was  taken  of  his  gentle  sum- 
mons ;  so,  having  waited  patiently  for  several 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  45 

minutes,  he  rang  again.  This  time  he  was 
more  successful,  and  he  heard  the  bell  peal 
loudly  through  the  lower  part  of  the  house. 

Footsteps  were  soon  heard  approaching,  and 
before  Hugh  had  time  to  think  of  what  he 
should  say,  the  massive  door  swung  back  on 
its  hinges,  and  a  gorgeous  being  in  plush  and 
powder  stood  in  the  doorway. 

"  Now,  then,  an'  wat  do  you  want?"  he 
asked,  indignantly.  "Small  boys  like  you 
have  no  business  to  ring  the  bell  so  loud." 

"  I  want  to  see  the  gentleman  of  this  house, 
very  particularly,"  said  Hugh,  drawing  himself 
up  proudly,  and  speaking  with  much  dignity. 
"  Will  you  please  to  tell  him  so?" 

"  I'll  please  to  tell  him  nothink  of  the  sort, 
young  gentleman.  Give  me  your  message  and 
I'll  deliver  it.  My  master  never  sees  nobody 
at  night.  He's  at  his  dessert,  an'  must  not  be 
disturbed." 

"Oh,  but  please,  I'm  sure  he  will  see  me," 
said  Hugh,  earnestly.  "  I  have  come  a  long 
way  and  —  But  please  give  him  this  packet 
and  see  what  he  will  say." 

The  man  took  the  paper  in  which  were 
wrapped  the  silken  curls,  looked  at  the  in- 
scription, and,  with  a  softened  expression  and 


46  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

manner,  asked  Hugh  to  walk  in  and  sit 
down. 

Hugh  entered  the  hall,  and  stood  upon  the 
mat,  wondering  nervously  what  would  happen 
next,  as  he  saw  the  servant  disappear,  carrying 
the  little  packet  on  a  salver. 

But  he  was  not  kept  long  in  suspense.  In  a 
few  seconds  a  door  was  quickly  opened,  and  a 
tall,  gentlemanly  looking  man  came  forward 
and  laid  his  hand  upon  his  shoulder. 

"  You  are  a  welcome  sight,  my  little  man,"  he 
said,  "  for  by  this  packet,  I  know  you  must 
have  found  my  pocket-book." 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  Hugh,  drawing  forth  the 
book,  and  handing  it  to  him.  "  I  found  it  on 
the  crossing  at  the  end  of  the  Strand,  near 
Trafalgar  Square,  yesterday.  It  is  just  as  I 
found  it,  except  that  I  took  out  the  packet.  It 
was  upon  it  I  saw  the  address." 

"  Yes,"  said  the  gentleman.  "  But  are  you 
not  afraid  to  give  it  to  me?  Are  you  quite 
certain  it  belongs  to  me?" 

"  Oh,  yes,  sir  ;  I  am  sure  —  I  feel  certain." 

"  Very  well.  But  just  to  prove  that  it  is 
mine  really,  and  lest  you  should  have  any 
misgivings  in  the  future,  I  will  tell  you  a  few 
things  that  are  in  it.  There  is  a  diamond  ring, 


A    STOKY  FOE   BOYS.  47 

with  one  stone  missing,  with  the  words  « till 
death*  engraved  inside,  and"  — 

"Oh, yes;  but,  please, I  know  it  is  yours," 
cried  Hugh.  "  So  please  take — please  take  it." 

"  Very  well,  my  boy,  since  you  are  satisfied, 
so  am  I.  Allow  me  to  thank  you  most  sin- 
cerely," said  the  gentleman,  and  he  shook 
Hugh  warmly  by  the  hand.  "  And  now,  what 
is  your  name  ?  Mine  is  Sir  Henry  Randall." 

"  Hugh  Brown,  Sir  Henry." 

"  A  good,  honest  name.  Well,  now,  Master 
Hugh,  come  in  and  take  a  glass  of  wine  with 
me." 

"  Please,  I  don't  drink  wine,"  said  Hugh, 

<c  J» 

"  And  quite  right,  too.  Little  lads,  like 
you,  do  not  require  it.  But  come  in  and  have 
a  few  minutes'  talk  with  me.  I  want  to  go 
over  the  contents  of  my  pocket-book,  just  to 
see  that  none  of  the  papers  have  dropped  out 
I  shall  feel  great  pleasure  in  giving  you  the 
reward." 

"  But  I  do  not  want  a  reward,"  said  Hugh. 
"  I  brought  you  back  your  pocket-book,  as 
soon  as  I  knew  the  address,  Sir  Henry ;  but  I 
never  thought  of  a  reward." 

"  Indeed,"  said  Sir  Henry,  smiling.     "  But, 


48  PERCY'S  REVEXGE  : 

come  in,  and  tell  me  something  about  yourself. 
You  have  done  me  a  great  service,  and  I  can- 
not allow  you  to  run  away  in  such  a  hurry." 

So,  Hugh  was  obliged  to  follow  the  master 
of  the  house,  and  soon  found  himself  seated 
before  a  table  covered  with  dainties,  the  like  of 
which  he  had  never  seen  in  his  life  before. 

And,  at  a  sign  from  Sir  Henry,  the  magnifi- 
cent being  in  plush  and  powder  supplied  him 
with  fruit  and  cake,  waiting  upon  him  as 
gravely  and  politely  as  if  he  were  the  Prince  of 
Wales  himself.  At  least,  so  thought  simple 
Hugh. 

And  as  the  boy  was  eating  the  delicacies 
with  which  he  had  been  provided,  Sir  Henry 
stood  at  the  mantle-piece  in  silence.  He 
emptied  the  pocket-book  and  examined  care- 
fully all  the  papers  it  contained. 

"  You  can  go,  Thomas,"  he  said,  turning 
round  suddenly.  And  when  the  man  had  dis- 
appeared, he  went  forward,  and  laid  his  hand 
upon  Hugh's  curly  head. 

"You  are  a  good,  honest  lad,"  he  said; 
"  and  I  shall  never  be  able  to  repay  you  for 
what  you  have  done  for  me.  There  are  things 
in  this  book  that  no  money  could  ever  replace 
I  did  not  remember  about  this  note  when  I 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  49 

offered  the  reward,  or  I  should  have  been 
obliged  to  offer  more.  Had  a  dishonest  person 
found  it,  I  might  never  have  seen  it  again. 
Fortunately  for  me,  it  fell  into  your  hands,  and 
so  I  have  received  it  just  as  it  was  when  I  lost 
it" 

"  But,  please,  I  only  did  my  duty,  Sir 
Henry,"  said  Hugh,  blushing. 

"  Yes,  of  course ;  but  here  is  your  reward, 
my  boy.  I  would  advise  you  to  buy  something 
useful  with  it."  And  to  Hugh's  surprise  the 
crisp  bank-note  that  he  had  shown  to  Susy  was 
laid  before  him. 

«« Please,  Sir  Henry,  I  do  not  want  it  I 
would  rather  not  take  it,"  said  Hugh,  shrinking 
away  from  the  note. 

**  But,  my  dear  lad.it  is  your  own,"  said  Sir 
Henry,  kindly.  "  And  no  one  need  be  ashamed 
to  take  what  is  his  own.  There  are  few  boys 
so  rich,  that  they  would  not  be  glad  to  have  a 
little  more  money.  Come,  now,  aren't  there  a 
great  many  things,  you  would  like  to  buy?" 

"  Oh,  yes,"  stammered  Hugh,  "  but  —  " 

"But  what?" 

**  I  don't  think  mother  would  like  me  to  take 
the  money,"  he  answered,  blushing  violently. 
"  And  so,  please,  I  would  rather  not." 


50  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"  Well,  is  there  anything  I  can  get  for  you, 
Hugh  ?  Anything  you  would  like  as  a  present  ? 
For  I  must  do  something,  to  show  that  I  am 
not  ungrateful  for  the  service  you  have  done 
me.  Speak,  child,  what  can  I  do  for  you?" 

"  There  is  one  thing,  Sir  Henry,"  said  Hugh, 
boldly.  "  I  want  to  get  some  work  to  do,  to 
earn  money  and  help  my  mother.  If  you 
could  help  me  to  get  that,  I  would  be  truly 
thankful." 

"  My  poor  lad;  but  you  are  very  small  and 
young  to  think  of  working.  Wait  till  you  are 
a  little  older." 

"  But  I  can't  wait,"  cried  Hugh.  "  Father 
is  ill,  and  we  want  money  so  badly.  Poor 
mother  frets  so  much  about  it.  And,  oh,  I 
would  so  love  to  help  her." 

"  And  so  you  shall,  dear  lad,"  said  Sir 
Henry,  with  emotion.  "  I  have  a  large  busi- 
ness in  the  city,  and  want  many  boys  in  my 
office.  If  you  do  not  think  that  beneath  you, 
I  am  sure  I  shall  be  able  to  find  you  a  place 
there.  Leave  me  your  address  and  I  will  go 
and  see  your  mother  about  it." 

"  Oh,  sir,  sir,  you  are  very  good,"  cried 
Hugh,  his  eyes  dancing  with  joy,  as  he  wrote 
his  address  upon  a  piece  of  paper,  and  handed 


A   STORY  FOR  BOTS.  51 

it  to  Sir  Henry.  "  I  will  work  so  hard  —  so 
hard." 

"  Yes,  you  must  be  sure  to  do  that,  little 
man,"  said  Sir  Henry,  smiling.  "  That  is  the 
real  way  to  get  on.  The  pay  will  not  be  large 
at  first ;  but,  if  you  are  clever  and  industrious, 
you  may  sometime  or  other  find  yourself  in  a 
good  position.  But,  now,  do  not  be  proud. 
Take  your  ten  pounds ;  they  will  help  your 
mother  to  get  many  things  she  must  want  for 
your  sick  father." 

"  Yes,  so  they  would.     But  —  but "  — 

"  Come,  now,  you  must  take  them,"  said  Sir 
Henry ;  and  folding  the  note  he  slipped  it  into 
the  boy's  pocket.  "And  now  I  want  to  in- 
troduce you  to  my  children.  They  will  be 
pleased  to  see  you,  when  I  tell  them  you  have 
brought  back  my  precious  pocket-book." 

Then,  taking  Hugh  by  the  hand,  he  led  him 
out  of  the  dining-room,  and  down  a  large,  well- 
lighted  hall. 

And  the  whole  place  seemed  so  beautiful  to 
the  simple  boy,  that  he  began  to  think  he  had 
found  his  way  suddenly  into  fairyland. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

PERCY    AT    HOME. 

"  T  T  A  !  Percy  is  in  a  good  humor,  I  perceive. 
I  Well,  so  much  the  better,"  said  Sir  Henry 
to  himself,  as,  opening  a  side  door,  he  walked 
down  the  gayly-decorated  passage,  that  led  to 
his  son's  apartment. 

"These  are  my  boy's  flowers,  Hugh,"  he 
remarked.  "Flowers  and  music  are  the  de- 
light of  his  life.  Hark  !  do  you  hear  that 
music?  Well,  that  is  my  son.  We  always 
know  what  his  thoughts  are,  by  the  way  he 
plays.  If  he  is  gay,  his  music  is  gay ;  if  he 
is  sad,  he  brings  forth  the  most  melancholy 
sounds  possible.  To-night,  he  seems  to  be  in 
a  most  amiable  mood  ;  so  we  are  lucky." 

As  Sir  Henry  spoke,  the  solemn  tones  of  an 
organ  came  swelling  through  the  air,  and  Hugh 
listened  with  delight  to  the  harmonious  sounds. 
(52) 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  53 

"You  are  fond  of  music,  my  little  man," 
said  his  new  friend.  "I  am  glad  of  that.  I 
think  it  a  good  sign  in  any  one.  But  coine  in 
softly.  We  must  not  disturb  Percy  whilst  he 
plays." 

Then,  raising  a  crimson  curtain  that  hung 
in  the  doorway,  Sir  Henry  drew  Hugh  into  a 
large,  handsomely  furnished  room. 

Here  our  little  friend  stood  spell-bound  in 
astonishment,  touched  to  the  heart  by  what  he 
saw. 

At  one  end  of  the  room  was  a  magnificent 
organ,  and  upon  the  high  stool  before  it,  sat  a 
quaint-looking  boy  of  about  eleven  years  old. 
His  face  was  pale  and  fair,  with  the  delicate 
complexion  of  a  girl,  whilst  long,  golden  curls 
fell  in  rich  profusion  over  his  velvet  coat,  veil- 
ing, but,  alas  !  not  concealing  what  was  only 
too  visible,  that  the  poor  boy  was  completely 
deformed.  Hugh  felt  the  tears  rise  quickly  to 
his  eyes,  as  he  gazed  at  the  humped  back,  and 
thought  how  sad  it  must  be  to  be  made  in  such 
a  manner,  unable  to  run  or  jump  as  other  boys 
did.  And  in  his  heart  he  thanked  God  for 
having  made  him  straight  and  strong. 

"Oh,  papa  dear,  I  am  so  glad  that  you  have 
come  in  at  last,"  cried  a  sweet  voice;  and  a 


54  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

pretty,  dark-eyed  girl  ran  forward  to  greet  Sir 
Henry. 

"Hush,  Theo.  Wait  till  Percy  has  done 
playing.  You  know  we  must  not  disturb  him, 
my  child,"  whispered  her  father,  laying  his 
hand  caressingly  upon  her  head. 

"I  wish  he  would  stop  playing,  then,"  she 
cried,  peevishly.  "I'm  quite  tired  of  his  organ." 

"Theo,"  exclaimed  her  father  ;  and  he  looked 
so  stern,  that  the  little  girl  shook  herself  away 
from  him,  and  seated  herself  at  the  table. 
Meanwhile,  the  boy  at  the  organ  seemed  un- 
conscious of  their  presence,  so  absorbed  was 
he  in  his  music. 

And  as  Hugh  stood  listening  in  silence  he 
looked  around  the  room  with  mingled  feelings 
of  wonder  and  delight.  Never  before  had  he 
seen  so  many  beautiful  things  —  things  that 
all  boys  love  and  admire. 

There  were  books  in  rich  bindings ;  fishing- 
rods,  bats  and  balls,  a  gun,  and  a  small  pistol ; 
at  the  furthest  end  of  the  room  stood  a  full- 
rigged  yacht  and  a  splendid  telescope ;  over 
the  mantlepiece  was  a  wonderful  arrangement 
of  swords  of  every  shape  and  size,  and  the 
walls  were  hung  with  pictures  of  famous  horses 
and  dogs. 


A    STORY    FOR    BOYS.  55 

' '  How  happy  these  children  must  be  in  such 
a  beautiful  room,"  he  thought.  "What  a  lucky 
boy  he  is  to  have — and  yet" —  And  he  sighed, 
•is  his  eyes  rested  once  more  upon  the  poor 
little  figure  at  the  organ. 

At  last  a  loud,  prolonged  chord  sounded 
through  the  room,  and  the  musician  turned 
round  upon  his  seat.  The  peaceful  look  that 
he  had  worn  whilst  playing  had  disappeared, 
and  an  expression  of  discontent  now  marred 
the  beauty  of  his  face. 

But  when  he  saw  his  father,  he  smiled 
brightly,  and  slipped  down  quickly  from  his 
perch  on  the  music-stool. 

"  So  you  have  come,  at  last,  father?"  he 
said.  "  Theo  was  growing  impatient.  She 
says  the  tea  is  quite  spoiled." 

"  I  could  not  come  any  sooner,"  said  his 
father,  kissing  him  tenderly.  "  I  had  business 
to  attend  to  after  dinner.  But  see,  I  have 
brought  you  a  visitor." 

"  Who  is  he?"  whispered  Percy,  flushing, 
and  darting  a  look  of  keen  inquiry  at  Hugh, 
who  stood  shyly  in  the  doorway.  ' '  I  never 
saw  him  before." 

"  No ;  he  is  a  new  friend  of  mine,  Percy. 
You  and  Theo  must  treat  him  very  well.  He 


56  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

is  a  fine  fellow,  and  has  just  done  me  a  great 
service.  Come,  Hugh,  come  over  here  and 
shake  hands  with  these  young  people.  That's 
right.  And  now,  Theo  dear,  let  us  have  some 
tea,  and  I  shall  tell  you  what  this  good  boy 
has  done  for  me." 

"What  was  it,  papa?"  cried  Theo.  "Do 
tell  us.  I  am  just  dying  to  hear  something  be- 
sides that  organ.  My  ears  are  ringing  with  it." 

"It's  better  than  your  perpetual  chatter, 
any  way,"  muttered  Percy,  with  an  angry  look 
at  his  sister. 

"  Oh,  that  doesn't  trouble  you  mudi,"  replied 
Theo.  "  You  never  listen  to  it." 

"Not  when  I  can  help  it  certainly.  But  do 
stop,  Theo,  and  let  us  hear  what  papa  has  to 
tell  us,"  cried  Percy.  "You  are  a  dreadful 
chatterbox." 

"Hush,  children,  do  not  quarrel,  please," 
said  their  father.  "  Take  some  cake,  Hugh. 
Well,  Percy,  I  was  going  to  tell  you  what  this 
little  man  has  done  for  me.  But  you  don't 
seem  inclined  to  listen. 

"Yes,  yes,  father,"  cried  Percy.  "But 
Theo  will  keep  teasing  me." 

"  Now,  Percy,  you  know  I  did  not  begin. 
It  was  all  your  fault." 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  57 

But,  as  Sir  Henry  took  no  notice  of  this 
remark,  the  children  subsided  quietly.  Percy 
helped  himself  to  cake,  and  turned  his  back  on 
his  sister ;  whilst  she  applied  herself  to  pouring 
out  the  tea, 

"  The  other  day,  Percy,"  began  Sir  Henry, 
"I  told  you,  I  think,  that  I  had  lost  a 
pocket-book,  containing  some  valuable  letters, 
and"  — 

"  Yes,  and  poor  mamma's  hair,"  cried  Percy, 
now  completely  interested  in  the  story. 

"  Yes ;  my  boy.  Your  dear  mother's  hair, 
that  I  would  not  have  lost  for  all  the  world. 
And  besides  this,  Percy,  there  was  her  ring 
that  wanted  a  little  repairing ;  a  ten-pound 
note  which  I  had  quite  forgotten  about,  and 
several  other  things,  more  or  less  valuable. 
Had  a  rogue  found  the  book  I  should  have  lost 
everything.  I  only  offered  ten  pounds'  reward, 
and  that  would  never  have  tempted  a  thief  to 
give  up  so  much." 

"  And  did  this  little  fellow  find  the  book  and 
bring  it  back  to  you?  "  asked  Percy,  the  bright 
look  coming  into  his  face  again. 

"  Yes,  Percy ;  he  brought  it  back  whole  and 
intact.  Xever  dreaming  of  touching  a  penny 
of  the  money,  at  a  time  when  a  few  pounds 


58  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

would  be  of  great  value  to  those  he  loves 
dearly." 

"  Well,  I  am  glad  to  see  you,"  cried  Percy, 
shaking  the  boy  once  more  by  the  hand.  * '  But 
when  did  you  find  the  pocket-book?  And  how 
did  you  know  it  was  papa's  ?  " 

"•  One  question  at  a  time,  Percy  lad,"  said 
his  father,  laughing.  "  Now,  Hugh,  tell  us  all 
about  it  please.  How  did  you  come  to  find  the 
pocket-book  ?  " 

"  I  was  standing  at  the  crossing  in  Trafalgar 
Square,  Sir  Henry,  when  you  went  past,"  said 
Hugh,  flushing,  and  longing  to  tell  his  new 
friends  what  he  had  been  doing  there.  They 
all  looked  so  kind  that  he  felt  sure  they  would 
not  be  at  all  shocked,  if  he  told  them  why  he 
had  taken  to  such  work.  But  he  remembered 
his  mother's  injunctions,  and  said  nothing  about 
it.  "  You  threw  a  bright  sixpence  to  a  little 
crossing-sweeper  and  hurried  on." 

"Did  I  really?  Why,  you  must  have  un- 
commonly sharp  eyes,  Master  Hugh,"  said  Sir 
Henry,  looking  up  with  a  laugh. 

"  I  have  —  rather,"  said  Hugh,  laughing  and 
blushing.  "  Well,  a  minute  after  that,  I  saw 
something  lying  in  the  mud.  I  picked  it  up 
and  rubbed  it  clean.  It  was  the  pocket-book." 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  59 

"  It  was  a  good  thing  the  crossing-sweeper 
didn't  find  it,"  cried  Percy,  "for  it's  very 
likely  he  would  have  kept  it.  They  are 
terrible  little  ragamuffins,  I  believe." 

"  Not  always,"  said  Hugh,  with  a  twinkle  in 
his  eye.  "  However,  I  put  the  book  in  my 
pocket  and  went  home.  There  it  lay  till  the 
next  morning,  and  then  I  spent  hours  trying 
to  open  it,  to  find  if  there  was  any  address 
inside.  But  I  could  not  manage  it,  and  was 
about  to  break  the  lock  when,  all  at  once,  it 
flew  open  in  my  hands." 

"Well,  that  was  funny,"  said  Theo.  "I 
remember  when  papa  bought  that  book,  Percy 
and  I  worked  at  it  for  ever  so  long,  and  it 
never  opened." 

*  *  I  suppose  I  touched  some  spring  by 
accident,"  said  Hugh.  "I  had  worked  at  it 
for  a  good  while,  too,  and  had  almost  given 
up  in  despair,  when  it  suddenly  opened,  and 
the  beautiful  ring  rolled  away  into  a  corner." 

"But  I  hope  you  found  it  again? "cried 
Theo,  quickly. 

"  Oh,  yes ;  in  a  minute.  Susie  crept  after  it 
and  wanted  to  keep  it,"  said  Hugh,  laughing. 
"  But  I  soon  got  it  back  from  her." 

"  But  it  was  wicked  to  want  to  keep  it,  when 


60  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

it  wasn't  hers,"  remarked  Theo,  severely. 
"  Susie  can't  be  a  very  honest  person,  I  am 
afraid." 

"But  she  is  only  four  years  old,"  cried 
Hugh.  "The  poor  mite  did  not  mean  any 
harm." 

"Is  Susie  your  little  sister,  Hugh ?"  asked 
Sir  Henry,  smiling. 

"  Yes,  sir;  my  only  sister.  And  she's  such 
a  darling." 

"  I  am  sorry  I  said  she  wasn't  honest, 
Hugh,"  whispered  Theo.  "  But  she  shall 
have  something  far  nicer  than  a  ring.  I  am 
sure  she  would  like  a  big  wax  doll.  Wouldn't 
she  now  ?  " 

"  I  am  sure  she  would,  Miss  Theo,"  an- 
swered Hugh,  brightly.  "  She  has  only 
an  old  piece  of  wood,  that  I  dressed  up  as  a 
doll  for  her.  She  would  go  wild  at  the  sight  of 
a  real  wax  one,  I  know." 

"  Then  she  shall  have  a  beauty.  I  am  too 
old  for  dolls,  now,  and  I  have  such  a  pretty 
one  upstairs.  Papa,  do  you  know,  Aunt  Ethel 
thinks  I'm  a  baby  still,  and  keeps  sending  me 
dolls  every  birthday.  Isn't  it  too  bad  ?  " 

"  Well,  you  can  hardly  expect  Aunt  Ethel 
to  know  what  a  wise  person  you  are,  Theo," 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  61 

said  her  father,  taking  her  on  his  knee,  and 
stroking  her  long  hair.  "Most  girls  of  ten 
like  dolls.  But  do  you  know,  Hugh,  this 
young  lady  cares  only  for  books,  and  hates 
dolls,  toys,  and,  above  all,  music." 

"  Xo,  no,  papa,"  cried  Theo,  glancing  quickly 
at  her  brother.  "I  love  music,  but  Percy 
keeps  on  dinning." 

"  Well,  never  mind  Percy,  but  run  off  and 
get  this  wonderful  doll  for  Susie,"  cried  Sir 
Henry,  quickly.  "  It  is  getting  late,  and 
Hugh  has  a  long  way  to  go.  Haven't  you, 
my  boy  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Sir  Henry ;  to  John  Street,  Tavistock 
Square,"  said  Hugh.  "  I  think  I  must  soon  be 
off,  as  my  mother  will  be  anxious." 

"  So  she  will,"  said  Sir  Henry.  "  So  be 
quick  and  get  the  doll,  Theo." 

"Yes,  papa;  I  shall  not  be  a  minute,"  she 
answered,  gayly.  And  away  she  went  out  of 
the  room,  and  up  the  broad  staircase,  to  her 
own  little  chamber  where  she  kept  her  treas- 
ures. 

"  I  am  glad  there  is  a  doll  for  Miss  Susie," 
said  Sir  Henry.  "  It  will  make  up  to  her  for 
the  loss  of  the  ring;  eh,  Percy?" 

But    Percy  did    not    respond;    he   flushed 


62  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

slightly  —  moved  uneasily  on  his  chair,  and 
began  to  crumble  his  cake  upon  his  plate. 

Very  soon  they  heard  Theo  running  down 
the  passage,  and  in  a  moment  she  burst  into 
the  room  again.  Her  cheeks  were  flushed,  her 
eyes  flashing  with  anger,  and  darting  up  to 
Percy  she  stamped  her  foot,  exclaiming  :  "  You 
naughty  boy  !  How  dare  you  go  to  my  toy 
cupboard?  How  dare  you  touch  my  things 
and  break  "  —  But  words  failed  her  and  she 
sobbed  aloud. 

Percy  frowned,  and  a  sulky  look  came  into 
his  eyes. 

"  It  was  no  use  to  you,  Theo.  You  have 
plenty  of  other  dolls  that  you  never  touch.  I 
wanted  to  see  what  made  that  one  speak,"  he 
grumbled.  "  I  wish  you  wouldn't  make  such  a 
fuss  about  nothing." 

"  Fuss  about  nothing  —  is  that  what  you  call 
nothing?  "  she  sobbed  out.  "  I  wanted  to  give 
that  baby  doll  to  Susie,  and  there  I  find  it 
all  broken  and  destroyed.  But,  Kapes  says, 
hunchbacks  are  always  mischievous,  and"  — 

At  these  words  Percy  sprang  to  his  feet, 
crimson  with  passion.  Tie  glared  for  an  instant 
at  his  sister,  and  seizing  a  plate  hurled  it 
wildly  at  her  head.  Then  turning  deadly  pale, 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  63 

uttered  a  cry  of  horror,  and  fell  back  in  his 
chair,  trembling  violently. 

Fortunately,  the  girl  saw  the  dangerous  mis- 
sile leave  the  boy's  hand,  and  as  she  stepped 
quickly  aside,  the  plate  went  flying  past  her, 
and  was  smashed  to  atoms  against  the  wall. 
Horrified  at  this  outburst,  she  gazed  at  her 
brother  in  surprise.  Then,  remembering  that 
it  was  her  fault ;  that  her  words  had  angered 
him,  she  flung  herself  on  her  knees  by  his  side. 

"  Percy,  dear,  I  am  so  sorry;  I  will  never 
say  such  a  thing  again,"  she  cried.  "  I  did 
not  mean  to  vex  you,  indeed,  I  did  not." 

But  Percy  turned  away,  and  deep  groans 
escaped  his  quivering  lips. 

"  Theo,"  said  Sir  Henry,  sternly,  "you 
are  a  most  unfeeling  girl.  How  could  you  say 
such  unkind  things?  Go  to  your  room  imme- 
diately." 

Theo  rose  up,  sobbing  bitterly,  and  was  about 
to  hurry  away,  when  Percy  put  out  his  hand 
and  drew  her  towards  him. 

"  My  sister,  my  dear  little  sister,"  he  cried, 
kissing  her  passionately.  "  I  am  very 
wicked  —  very  wicked  —  but,  oh,  you  must 
forgive  me.  Papa,  you  must  forgive  me,  too  — 
you  must  forgive  us  both,  for  we  have  no 


64  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

mother ! "  and  burying  his  face  in  his  hand, 
Percy  burst  into  tears. 

"  My  poor  boy,  my  poor  little  man,"  cried 
his  father,  laying  his  hand  upon  the  bowed 
head.  "  But  do  not  take  things  so  much  to 
heart.  I  am  sorry  that  Theo  and  you  should 
be  so  violent.  You  must  try  to  be  more  kind 
and  gentle  to  each  other ;  but  do  not  fret.  I 
forgive  you,  of  course.  See,  you  have  fright- 
ened Hugh  with  your  extraordinary  behavior. 
But  come,  my  boy,  cheer  up.  Hugh,  I  think 
you  had  better  say,  good-night.  You  have  a 
long  way  to  go  and  it  is  getting  late." 

Hugh  dried  up  the  tears  that  had  begun 
to  flow  at  the  sight  of  Percy's  unhappiness ; 
shook  hands  with  the  boy  nervously,  and  taking 
up  his  hat  went  quickly  out  of  the  room.  He 
looked  about  for  Theo  to  wish  her  good-night, 
but  she  had  disappeared,  and  so  he  hurried 
after  Sir  Henry. 

"  There  is  a  cab  at  the  door,  Hugh,"  said  his 
kind  friend,  "  and  I  wish  you  to  go  home  in  it. 
It  is  too  late  for  you  to  walk  through  the 
streets  alone.  I  shall  not  forget  my  promise 
of  work ;  but  will  see  about  it  at  once.  I  shall 
go  down  some  day,  soon,  and  talk  over  mat- 
ters with  your  mother." 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  65 

"  Oh,  thank  you,  Sir  Henry." 

"  I  am  only  afraid  that  I  shall  not  be  able  to 
do  much  for  you,  as  you  are  so  small,"  said  Sir 
Henry,  thoughtfully.  "  A  boy  of  twelve  can- 
not do  much.  TVould  you  be  content  to  run 
messages  ?  " 

"Yes;  indeed,  I  would.  I  would  do  any- 
thing at  which  I  could  earn  a  few  shillings  a 
week,  and  so  help  mother  a  little,  till  my 
father  gets  well  again." 

"And  that  you  shall  certainly  do  before 
long.  But,  remember,  Hugh,  if  I  once  give 
you  a  start,  the  rest  will  depend  upon  your- 
self. If  you  work  hard,  you  may  rise  in  time, 
for  you  are  a  clever  boy,  I  am  sure.  If  you 
care  to  work,  you  may  be  a  rich  man  some 
day." 

Overcome  with  gratitude  at  so  much  kindness 
and  encouragement,  Hugh  was  speechless.  He 
could  not  find  words  to  express  his  feelings,  so 
seizing  Sir  Henry's  hand,  he  covered  it  with 
kisses,  and  darted  out  of  the  house. 

Just  as  he  was  about  to  step  into  the  cab,  a 
little  figure  with  streaming  ribbons,  and  tear- 
stained  face  came  flying  down  the  hall.  It 
was  Theo,  and  in  her  hand  she  carried  a  parcel. 

"Hugh,   Hugh,"  she    called,  running    out 


66  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

upon  the  door-step,  "take  this  and  give  it 
to  little  Susie.  It  is  a  doll — not  a  big  one, 
or  half  so  pretty  as  the  one  Percy  broke,  but 
still  she  will  like  it,  I  hope." 

"Oh,  Miss  Theo,  you  are  too  good,"  cried 
Hugh,  as  he  took  the  parcel  from  her  hand. 
"You  are  so  kind,  so  " — 

Then  he  turned  and  ran  down  the  steps,  as 
fast  as  he  could.  He  felt  the  tears  rushing 
back  into  his  eyes,  and  he  could  say  no  more. 

It  was  very  late  when  Hugh  reached  home ; 
and  as  he  ran  up  stairs,  his  mother  met  him 
with  anxious  looks  and  eager  inquiries. 

She  listened  joyfully  to  his  happy  tale,  and 
thanked  God  from  her  heart,  for  the  good 
fortune  that  had  come  to  her  boy. 

"And  did  you  not  feel  jealous  of  all  the 
beautiful  things  you  saw  around  those  children, 
Hugh,  darling?" 

"Not  a  bit,  mother  dear,"  he  answered,  as 
he  flung  his  arms  around  her.  "They  are  rich 
— but  not  as  rich  as  I  am ;  for  the  poor  things 
have  no  mother." 


CHAPTER  V. 

SUSIE  HAS  A  TREAT. 

'  |p.fcLt,  next  morning  Susie  tripped  into  the 
1  sitting  room,  with  joyous  steps  and  smil- 
ing face. 

Whilst  dressing  her,  her  mother  had  told  her 
that  Hugh  would  take  her  for  a  walk,  as  he 
was  not  going  to  work  on  the  crossing  any 
more.  This  was  good  news  for  Susie,  for  the 
greatest  treat  she  could  imagine,  was  to  toddle 
off  through  the  streets  with  her  big  brother. 

Everything  was  ready  for  breakfast,  the  room 
all  nice  and  tidy,  and  Susie  looked  round,  ex- 
pecting to  see  Hugh  seated  comfortably  by  the 
fire,  in  his  father's  arm-chair. 

He  was  nowhere  to  be  seen,  however;  but 
oh,  joy !  in  his  place  was  a  lovely  doll,  with 
a  pretty  blue  frock  and  a  mop  of  golden 
curls. 

The  little  girl  gave  a  cry  of  delight,   and 


68  PERCY'S  EEVENGE  : 


darting  forward,  caught  the  beautiful  creature 
in  her  arms. 

"Ha,  ha,"  laughed  Hugh,  running  out  from 
the  back  of  the  chair;  "ha,  ha,  Miss  Susican, 
that's  something  like  a  dolly,  I  think  ! " 

"Oh,  Hoo,  Hoo,"  she  cried,  kissing  him 
rapturously.  "  See  is  a  booty — see  is  a  booty. 
Did  'ou  find  her  in  the  mud,  too?" 

"In  the  mud,  Susie,  I  should  rather  think 
not,"  and  Hugh  laughed  so  loudly  at  such  an 
idea,  that  he  brought  his  mother  in  to  see  what 
was  going  on. 

"Do  not  make  so  much  noise,  dear  boy," 
she  said ;  "  it  disturbs  poor  father." 

"Oh,  mudder,  mudder,"  cried  Susie,  with 
eager  delight,  "look  at  the  dolly  Hoo  binged 
me.  Isn't  see  lubly?  Isn't  see  a  booty  ?" 

"  She  is  a  beauty  indeed,  darling,  and  you 
must  taj^e  great  care  of  her.  But,  Hugh,  I 
want  you  both  to  be  very  quiet  to-day.  What 
would  you  say  to  taking  Susie  to  see  the  Lord 
Mayor's  show  ?  They  say  it  will  be  very 
fine." 

"  But  we  should  have  to  go  so  far  away, 
mother,  and  you  might  want  me." 

"  No,  no,  dear,  I  shan't  want  you  at  all. 
Your  father  is  much  better,  and  seems  inclined 


A    STORY   FOR    BOYS.  69 

to  sleep ;  so  the  best  thing  for  him  is  to  keep 
the  place  as  quiet  as  possible." 

"  Very  well,  mother  ;  but  still  "  — 

**  No  buts,  dear,"  said  his  mother,  smiling. 
"  I  want  you  to  have  a  happy  day,  Hugh. 
You  have  been  so  good  and  worked  so  hard, 
that  you  deserve  a  treat.  So  off  you  go  for  a 
fine  long  run." 

"  "\Vell,  I  should  like  one,  mammy,  and  I 
dare  say  Susie  will  enjoy  it  too,"  he  said,  gayly. 
"  Give  us  some  bread  and  butter  in  our  pock- 
ets, and  we'll  set  off  as  soon  as  breakfast  is 
over." 

"  Oh,  joy,  joy,"  shouted  Susie  ;  "  and  Dolly 
sail  go  too  —  see  sail  —  see  sail." 

But  both  her  mother  and  Hugh  objected  to 
this,  as  Dolly  might  get  spoiled  as  they  pushed 
their  way  through  the  crowd. 

Susie  was  in  despair  at  the  thoughts  of  not 
taking  her  darling ;  and  it  was  some  time  be- 
fore they  could  persuade  her  to  go  out  and 
leave  her. 

"  I'll  buy  you  a  cake,  Susie,"  said  Hugh, 
coaxiugly ;  "and,  who  knows,  perhaps  we 
might  come  home  in  an  omnibus.  Wouldn't 
that  be  nice,  little  woman?" 

"  Hoo,  Hoo,  dat  would  be  nice,"  cried  the 


70  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

child ;  and  the  doll  was  put  to  bed  in  a  corner, 
and  away  trotted  Susie  to  get  ready  for  her 
walk. 

And  at  last  the  two  children  started  off, 
Susie  radiantly  happy  as  she  went  along,  her 
hand  in  Hugh's. 

But  it  was  not  altogether  pleasant  walking 
through  the  streets,  as  they  were  very  muddy 
and  slippery. 

"  I  think  I  must  carry  you,  dear,  or  you'll 
be  covered  with  mud,"  said  her  careful  brother. 

But  just  at  this  moment,  his  friend,  "  the 
cabby,"  appeared,  and  taking  them  up  on  the 
box  beside  him,  drove  them  off  to  Trafalgar 
Square. 

This  was  a  capital  place  for  seeing  the  show 
on  its  way  to  Westminster,  and  the  little  people 
were  in  high  glee  as  they  stood  waiting  for  the 
great  procession. 

They  had  taken  their  stand  in  front  of  the 
National  Bank,  and  Hugh  promised  to  lift 
Susie  on  his  shoulder,  whenever  he  heard  the 
band  approaching. 

The  windows  of  the  Bank  above  were  filled 
with  gayly  dressed  people,  and  Hugh  began  to 
wish  that  he  and  Susie  were  there,  away  from 
the  mud  and  the  crowd.  Looking  up  suddenly, 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  71 

he  was  surprised  to  see  a  pretty,  dark-eyed 
girl  smiling  and  bowing  to  him ;  in  a  few  min- 
utes the  heavy  window  was  raised  a  little,  and 
Theo  Randall  called  out  to  him  to  go  up  to  her 
at  once. 

But  this  was  not  an  easy  matter.  When 
Hugh  presented  himself  at  the  door,  and  asked 
leave  to  go  up  to  the  young  lady,  the  porter 
laughed  at  him,  and  asked  him  for  his  ticket. 
The  boy  was  obliged  to  confess  that  he  had 
none,  but  that  a  friend  had  beckoned  to  him, 
and  told  him  to  go  up  to  her. 

"  A  very  likely  story,  young  'un.  But  I'm 
not  so  green  as  to  be  caught  that  way.  Just 
you  sheer  off  with  yourself,"  said  the  man,  and 
Hugh  turned  away  without  a  word. 

"  Hugh,  Hugh,  come  back,"  called  a  small 
voice,  imperiously;  and  looking  up  he  saw 
Theo  standing  at  the  top  of  the  steps. 

"He  is  my  friend,  and  we  have  plenty  of 
room  up  stairs,"  she  said,  grandly;  and  the 
man  bowed  and  held  the  door  open  as  Hugh 
and  Susie  entered  the  hall. 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you  again,"  said  Theo. 
"  And  is  this  Susie?  What  a  deaj-  little  mite 
she  is.  But  come,  Percy  will  be  angry  if  we 
stand  here  talking  too  long.  Now,  Susie,  take 


72  PERCY'S  BEVENGE  : 

my  hand,  and  I'll  help  you  up  the  stairs."  But 
the  child  held  back  nervously.  She  felt  shy 
and  frightened  at  the  sight  of  this  smart  young 
lady  in  her  velvet  and  fur. 

"  She's  very  shy,  Miss  Randall,"  said  Hugh, 
"  for  she's  not  accustomed  to  strangers." 

"Oh,  I've  got  a  cure  for  shyness,"  said 
Theo,  and  drawing  a  packet  of  chocolate 
creams  from  her  muff,  she  began  to  pop  them 
into  Susie's  mouth. 

"  Aren't  they  good,  dear?"  she  asked,  with 
a  smile.  ^ 

"  Wery  dood,"  answered  Susie;  and  her 
small  heart  was  conquered  at  once. 

When  the  three  children  entered  the  room 
above,  Percy  was  sitting  at  the  window,  look- 
ing very  cross. 

"  What  a  time  you  have  been,  Theo,"  he 
cried,  peevishly;  "one  would  think  it  was  a 
mile  to  the  door." 

"Well,  I  couldn't  help  it,  dear,"  answered 
his  sister,  soothingly.  "  The  porter  would  not 
allow  Hugh  to  come  up  to  us  ;  but  I  made  him, 
and  here  he  is.  Come  over  here,  Hugh." 

"That's  right,  Theo,"  replied  Percy,  be- 
coming quite  amiable,  and  holding  out  his  hand 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  73 

to  Hugh.  "  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you  again. 
I  hope  your  father  is  better?" 

"  Yes,  thank  you;  he  is  a  good  deal  better 
to-day." 

"I  am  very  glad  to  hear  it.  Is  that  your 
little  sister?" 

"Yes.  Come,  Susie,  and  shake  hands  with 
this  young  gentleman." 

Susie  went  over  slowly,  gazing  with  wonder 
at  Percy's  golden  curls  and  fair  delicate  face. 

The  boy's  expression  had  changed  wonder- 
fully, since  the  others  had  entered  the  room. 
The  cross  look  had  disappeared,  and  his  coun- 
tenance was  lighted  up  with  a  beautiful  smile, 
as  he  turned  to  speak  to  the  little  girl.  This, 
combined  with  his  velvet  suit,  deep  lace  collar, 
and  long,  fair  hair,  gave  him  a  quaint,  uncom- 
mon appearance  that  impressed  Susie  greatly. 

"  Is  hhii  a  boy,  Hoo?"  she  whispered.  "  I 
tink  him's  like  a  wax-work." 

"Oh,  Susie,"  cried  Hugh,  covered  with 
confusion. 

But  Percy  was  highly  amused,  and  taking 
the  child  on  his  knee,  began  to  question  her 
about  the  wax-works,  and  when  she  had  seen 
them. 


74  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"  But  is  'ou  a  boy?"  she  repeated,  "  a  weal 
dood  boy  like  my  Hoo?" 

"  No,  not  a  good  boy,  I'm  afraid,  Susie,"  he 
answered,  quickly.  "  Only  a  bad-tempered 
boy,  as  Hugh  can  tell  you." 

The  bright  smile  died  away  on  his  lips,  and, 
sighing  heavily,  he  looked  out  into  the  street. 

"  Come  with  me,  little  Susie,"  said  Theo, 
and  she  drew  her  off  with  her  to  the  other 
window. 

But  Hugh  remained  with  Percy,  hoping  to 
cheer  him  up,  and  bring  the  happy  smile  back 
to  the  pale  face  once  more.  He  talked  a  great 
deal,  told  funny  stories,  and  did  all  he  could  to 
make  his  friend  look  bright;  but  his  efforts 
were  in  vain. 

Percy  paid  not  the  smallest  attention,  and 
did  not  appear  to  hear  what  he  was  saying ; 
he  was  quite  absorbed  in  his  own  gloomy 
thoughts. 

"  Hugh,"  he  said,  suddenly,  "  were  you  not 
very  much  shocked  last  night  at  my  dreadful 
temper?" 

"I  was  startled,  Master  Percy,  and  —  a 
little  frightened ;  for  you  might  have  killed 
Miss  Theo  with  that  plate,"  said  Hugh,  blush- 
ing. 


A   STORY   FOB   BOYS.  75 

"Yes,  yes,  I  know.  But  I  can't  help  it. 
When  I  get  into  a  passion  —  like  that  —  I  don't 
know  what  I  am  doing.  And  oh,  Hugh,"  he 
whispered,  "it  is  so  dreadful  to  be  a  hunch- 
back. I  never  can  think  why  I  was  born,  or 
why  I  am  allowed  to  live."' 

"  Oh,  Master  Percy,"  cried  Hugh,  horrified 
at  the  boy's  words.  **  What  would  your  father 
do  without  you?  He  loves  you  so  dearly." 

"  Yes,  yes ;  he  loves  me  and  pities  me.  But 
of  what  use  am  I  to  him  as  a  son,  I,  a  poor, 
miserable  hunchback?" 

"But  why  should  that  make  any  difference ?" 
cried  Hugh,  quickly.  "He  does  not  want  you 
to  work,  and  if  you  are  good  and  clever"  — 

•  •  Yes ;  if  I  were  good  and  clever,"  said 
Percy,  bitterly.  "But  I  am  not — and  every- 
one hates  me.  The  servants,  my  aunts,  uncles, 
and  cousins — all  pity  papa  for  having  such  a 
son ;  they  say  hunchbacks  are  always  wicked, 
and  that  makes  me  so  unhappy."  And  leaning 
his  head  against  the  window,  the  poor  boy 
burst  into  tears. 

"  They  are  wicked  to  say  such  a  cruel  thing," 
cried  Hugh,  indignantly.  "God  made  you  a 
hunchback,  Master  Percy,  but  He  loves  you 
just  us  much  as  if  you  were  straight." 


76  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"Do  you  think  so,  Hugh?     Do  you  really 
think  so?" 

"Of  course  I  do  —  I  know  it,"  answered 
Hugh,  firmly.  "And  as  for  being  wicked, 
it  all  depends  on  ourselves.  If  we  pray  to 
our  Heavenly  Father,  He  will  always  help  us 
to  be  good." 

"Yes,  but  it  is  hard — and  then  when  people 
don't  like  me,  and  say  unkind  things,  it  makes 
me  angry  and  ill-tempered." 

"But  I  am  sure  you  could  make  people  love 
you  if  you  tried,  Master  Percy,"  said  Hugh, 
gently.  "I  don't  want  to  say  anything  to  vex 
you ;  but  I  think  if  you  would  be  kind  and 
gentle  to  your  friends,  they  would  get  to  love 
you.  Mother  says" — 

"Ah,  you  are  a  lucky  boy  to  have  your 
mother  to  talk  to  you.  When  mamma  was 
alive  it  was  quite  diiferent.  She  used  to  help 
me  to  be  good.  She  talked  to  me  of  God — 
and,  hunchback  though  I  was — still  I  was  her 
darling — her  own  little  son.  But,  oh,  Hugh, 
she  died  when  I  was  six — and  I  shall  never 
see  her  again." 

"Oh,  yes,  Master  Percy,  you  will  surely 
see  her  in  heaven." 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  77 

"  In  heaven — alas  !  no  ;  for  I  am  too  wicked 
to  go  there." 

"No,  no,"  said  Hugh,  earnestly.  "You 
must  not  say  that.  God  is  all  mercy  and 
forgiveness,  and  if  you  try  to  be  good,  He  will 
be  sure  to  help  you." 

"But  I  can  never  remember  that  when  I  feel 
wicked.  Xo  one  talks  to  me  of  God  now. 
Papa  is  too  busy.  Theo  knows  nothing  about 
such  things,  and — and  I  never  go  to  church." 

"Never  go  to  church.  Oh,  that  is  very 
wrong.  But  why  do  you  not  go,  Master 
Percy?" 

"Because,"  said  Percy,  flushing  painfully, 
"people  stare  at  me,  and  I  hear  them  whisper- 
ing, '  Poor  boy  :  what  a  pity,'  and  I  can't  bear 
it.  So  I  just  stay  at  home  with  my  organ. 
That  is  the  one  thing  that  comforts  me." 

"  But  your  mother  would  have  liked  you  to 
go  to  church,  I'm  sure,"  said  Hugh,  gravely. 
"  Don't  you  think  so?" 

"  Yes,  I  know  she  would.  She  used  always 
to  take  me.  I  did  not  mind  anything  when  she 
was  there.  But  it's  very  different  now.'' 

""Well,  Master  Percy,  I'd  advise  you  to  go 
to  church.  You  don't  know  what  a  comfort  it 
is  when  you  are  in  trouble.  And  then,"  said 


78  PERCY'S   REVENGE  : 

Hugh,  with  a  bright  look,  "  if  any  one  pities 
you,  just  offer  the  pain  you  feel  up  to  God — 
offer  it  to  Jesus  Christ,  and  think  of  His  suffer- 
ings. Once,  when  I  was  ill,  mother  told  me 
to  do  that,  and,  do  you  know,  I  did  not  mind 
the  pain  half  so  much." 

"You  are  a  good  boy,  Hugh,"  cried  Percy, 
gazing  with  admiration  at  the  lad's  earnest 
face.  "If  you  will  talk  to  me  sometimes  and 
help  me  to  be  good,  I  am  sure  I  shall  soon 
grow  much  better." 

"But  you  must  ask  God  to  help  you,  Percy, 
and  do  your  best  to  be  good.  Here  are  two 
lines  of  a  hymn  that  will  teach  you  to  remember 
how  ready  God  is  to  do  what  we  ask  Him  : 

"  Whatsoever  ye  ask  in  My  Name  I  will  do  it, 
Abide  in  My  love,  and  be  joyful  in  Me.'' 

"I  never  heard  those  lines  before,"  said 
Percy,  "  but  I  will  say  them  over  and  over  to 
myself." 

"That  is  right,"  said  Hugh,  smiling,  "and 
now  let  us  be  joyful,  as  God  tells  us  to  be." 

"  Percy — Hugh.  Here  comes  the  music — 
the  band — listen — look  !"  cried  Theo,  dancing 
up  to  their  window.  "See!  the  procession 
will  soon  begin  to  pass,"  and  back  she  went  to 
Susie. 


A  STORY  FOR  BOYS.  79 

But  this  interruption  put  an  end  to  the  boys' 
serious  talk;  and  the  sound  of  the  dashing 
music  helped  to  cheer  them,  and  soon  blew 
away  the  clouds  from  their  brows. 

««  There's  papa  —  there's  papa,"  cried  Theo, 
as  a  handsome  carriage  passed  under  the  win- 
dow, and  Sir  Henry  Randall  was  seen  bowing 
and  smiling  to  his  children. 

"My  father  was  once  Lord  Mayor,"  said 
Percy.  "  It  was  when  I  was  a  very  little  boy, 
and  every  one  said  mamma  was  the  most  beau- 
tiful Lady  Mayoress  they  had  ever  seen." 

"  That  must  have  been  amusing,"  said  Hugh, 


"Yes,  mamma  liked  it,  and  Theo  had  a  good 
deal  of  fun,  although  she  was  only  a  tiny  thing. 
But  I  did  not  like  it  at  all,"  said  Percy,  sadly. 
"It  was  then  papa  was  made  Sir  Henry; 
grandpapa  was  very  proud  ;  but  mamma  liked 
Mr.  Randall  best." 

"Did  she  ?  Well,  I  think  Sir  Henry  sounds 
beautiful.  But  what  is  that  noise,  Percy?  It 
seems  as  if  we  were  in  the  Zoological  Gardens 
instead  of  in  the  Strand." 

"Oh,  I  know  what  it  is.  Papa  told  us  all 
about  it,"  said  Percy,  laughing.  "The  Prince 
of  Wales  brought  a  number  of  animals  from 


80  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

India,  and  they  are  to  make  part  of  the  show 
to-day." 

Here  shouts  of  delight  were  heard  from  Theo 
and  Susie  ;  and  the  two  boys  went  over  to  their 
window,  so  that  they  might  all  enjoy  the  sight 
together. 

The  stream  of  carriages  passed  quickly  along, 
and  then  a  couple  of  gayly-caparisoned  drom- 
edaries trotted  down  the  Strand,  ridden  by 
black-faced  men  in  gorgeous  garments. 

Susie  clapped  her  hands  with  delight,  but 
when  two  huge  elephants  went  roaring  past, 
she  screamed  with  fright,  and  buried  her  face 
in  Hugh's  sleeve. 

"You  poor  little  goosie,"  cried  Theo,  laugh- 
ing. "How  could  they  possibly  touch  you? 
But  see  here,  Susie,  look  at  this  funny  thing. 
It  is  called  Cleopatra's  Needle." 

"A  needle?"  cried  Susie,  looking  up  once 
more.  "Oh,  she  must  be  a  big  woman  to 
use  a  needle  like  that — and  it  don't  look  a 
bit  sharp." 

"But  it  isn't  a  needle  to  use,  dear,"  ex- 
plained Theo.  "It's  only  made  to  imitate  a 
big  monument  or  obelisk  that  has  been  brought 
to  London,  and  is  going  to  be  put  up  some- 
where— I  don't  know  where.  It  is  made  of 


A  STOEY   FOR  BOYS.  81 

stone,  Susie,  and  is  covered  with  figures  and 
hieroglyphics.  This  is  only  a  paper  aflair." 

"Well,  if s  very  silly  to  call  it  a  needle,  for 
it  isn't  a  bit  like  one,"  said  Susie. 

The  children  laughed  heartily  at  this  wise 
remark,  and  even  Percy  joined  hi  the  merri- 
ment as  the  model  of  the  famous  obelisk 
passed  under  the  window,  its  paper  sides 
fluttering  and  flapping  in  the  wind. 

Then  came  some  camels,  and  finally  a  mag- 
nificent car,  with  gayly  dressed  figures  carrying 
banners  and  flags. 

"That  gorgeous  dung  represents  History, 
Peace  and  Plenty,"  said  Percy,  "and  I  must 
say  it  is  very  well  done." 

"Very  well,  indeed,"  said  Theo.  "I  never 
saw  such  a  good  Lord  Mayor's  show.  Those 
animals  made  it  quite  amusing." 

"But — but  I  never  saw  a  Lord  Mayor  at 
all,"  cried  Susie.  "Was  he  on  a  big  ele- 
phant?" 

"You  funny  child,"  said  Theo,  laughing. 
"He  was  in  the  grand  carriage  with  some  of 
his  friends. 

"Was  he?"  said  Susie,  in  a  disappointed 
voice.  "Then  he  was  just  like  all  the  other 
gempleman." 


82  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"Well,  yes,  he  had  only  one  head,"  said 
Theo,  and"  — 

"Theo,  dear,"  remarked  Percy,  "as  papa 
is  going  to  the  banquet,  I  think  we  will  have 
dinner  in  my  room.  I  want  Hugh  and  Susie  to 
come  home  with  us." 

"  That  would  be  nice,"  cried  Theo,  clapping 
her  hands.  "  Come  along  quick.  The  car- 
riage is  at  the  door." 

"  But  we  cannot  go  with  you,  Miss  Theo," 
said  Hugh.  "  We  cannot,  indeed." 

"  Not  come  ?     But  why  not  ?  " 

"  Because  my  mother  would  be  uneasy  about 
us.  She  would  "  — 

"  We  can  soon  put  that  right,"  cried  Percy. 
"  Come  along,  my  boy.  We  will  drive  to  Mrs. 
Brown's  and  ask  her  permission." 

So,  into  the  comfortable  landau  the  children 
were  obliged  to  get ;  and  with  the  air  of  a 
young  lady  accustomed  to  command,  Theo 
ordered  the  footman  to  go  to  16  John's  Street, 
Tavistock  Square. 

Susie  was  speechless  with  delight.  Never 
before  had  she  sat  in  a  carriage ;  and  she  was 
afraid  to  breathe,  lest  she  should  wake  up  and 
find  it  all  a  dream. 

When  the   handsome  equipage  entered   the 


A   STORY   FOB   BOYS.  83 

narrow  street  where  the  Browns  lived,  many 
were  the  looks  of  astonishment  cast  upon  it  by 
young  and  old. 

Children  shouted  and  cheered,  as  they  recog- 
nized their  friends,  Hugh  and  Susie ;  and  the 
old  people  smiled  at  the  grave  dignity  of  the 
tiny  maiden  ;  and  nodded  pleasantly  to  the  lad, 
who  was  a  favorite  with  all. 

Hugh  sprang  up  the  stairs  to  the  little  parlor, 
and  flinging  his  arms  round  his  mother's  neck, 
told  her  of  the  invitation  he  had  received. 

"  It  will  be  very  nice,  dear,"  said  Mrs. 
Brown,  and  scarcely  realizing  what  she  was 
doing,  she  granted  the  desired  permission. 

**  Thank  you,  mother  —  thank  you,"  cried 
Hugh  ;  and  away  he  went. 

So,  before  Mrs.  Brown  had  time  to  recover 
from  her  astonishment,  or  understand  thor- 
oughly what  was  going  on,  the  carriage  had  left 
her  door  and  was  far  away  on  its  journey 
westwards. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

PERCY   HEARS    SOME  NEWS. 

THE  children  spent  a  pleasant  evening  in 
Percy's  pretty  room. 

Theo  was  enchanted  with  Susie,  and  did  all 
she  could  to  amuse  her.  And  she  was  so  com- 
pletely absorbed  in  her  new  plaything,  that  she 
did  not  quarrel  once  with  her  brother. 

The  boys  had  many  tastes  in  common,  and 
Percy  had  never  felt  so  happy  in  the  company 
of  any  child  before.  Hugh  was  good  tempered, 
bright,  and  brave,  and  his  very  presence 
seemed  to  calm  the  nervous,  irritable  Percy. 

"  How  I  wish  you  were  my  brother,  or  even 
my  cousin,  Hugh,"  said  Percy.  "  Wouldn't  it 
be  jolly  if  you  were  my  cousin?" 

"Yes,"  said  Hugh,  laughing,  "  I  daresay  it 
would.  But  as  I  never  had  a  cousin,  I  can't 
exactly  say." 

"  Oh,  I  have  plenty  of  them  —  but  the3r're 

(84) 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  85 

all  such  queer  chaps.  I  find  it  very  hard  to 
get  on  with  any  of  them.  Now,  if  you  were 
my  cousin,  I'd  like  to  have  you  always  with  me." 

**  That  would  be  very  kind  of  you,"  an- 
swered Hugh.  "  But  supposing  I  wouldn't 
stay?" 

"  Oh,  I'd  chain  you  up,  and  make  you.  But 
come  along  and  play  me  a  game  of  Bezique." 

So  the  time  passed  very  happily ;  and  it  was 
a  real  sorrow  for  the  young  Randalls  when, 
early  next  morning,  Hugh  and  Susie  took  then- 
departure. 

They  did  all  they  could  to  make  them  stay 
till  the  afternoon,  at  least.  But  Hugh  was 
determined  to  go  home.  He  was  anxious  to 
know  how  his  father  was,  and  nothing  that  his 
friends  could  do,  or  say,  would  make  him 
change  his  mind. 

Susie  was  very  angry  with  her  brother,  and 
wept  bitterly.  She  implored  him  to  stay  till 
after  luncheon,  and  then  go  home  in  the  car- 
riage. But  Hugh  was  firm.  He  knew  he  was 
right,  and  neither  storms  nor  prayers  would 
make  him  yield.  So  taking  his  little  sister  by 
the  hand  he  bade  good-by  to  his  young  friends, 
and  hurried  away. 

Percy  was  wild  at  what  he  called  "  Hugh's 


86  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

disgraceful  conduct,"  and  as  the  boy  disap- 
peared, his  good  resolutions  vanished,  and  he 
went  off  in  a  whirl  of  passion  to  his  room. 

Frightened  at  the  look  of  fierce  anger  in  her 
brother's  face,  Theo  crept  away  to  her  books 
and  toys.  She  knew  by  experience  that  it  was 
best  to  leave  him  alone  till  the  storm  should 
have  subsided. 

Percy  shut  himself  in  his  room,  and  walked 
restlessly  up  and  down.  He  was  in  a  feverish 
state  of  rage  and  indignation.  His  will  had 
been  thwarted,  his  wishes  treated  lightly  — 
without  respect ;  and  this  by  Hugh,  whom  he 
had  liked  so  much,  and  to  whom  he  had  been 
so  kind.  Percy  was  not  accustomed  to  such 
treatment,  and  he  felt  injured  and  insulted. 

For  some  time  all  was  silent.  Theo  took 
her  luncheon,  and  went  out  with  her  governess  ; 
and  still  the  boy  remained  in  solitary  confine- 
ment. 

But  at  last,  wild  stormy  peals  from  the  organ 
filled  the  hall  and  passages,  then  fell  by  degrees 
into  sad  solemn  tones,  and  finally  faded  away 
into  sweet  melodies,  known  and  loved  by 
Percy  from  his  infancy.  These  his  mother  had 
sung  to  him  as  a  child,  with  these  she  had 
soothed  him  in  many  an  hour  of  bitter  sorrow. 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  87 

And  now  as  they  come  forth  from  his  touch, 
the  form  that  he  loved  so  passionately  rose  be- 
fore him,  and  the  dear  face,  saddened  by  his 
wickedness,  seemed  to  rebuke  him  as  he  sat. 
His  hands  fell  motionless  by  his  side,  his  white 
lips  quivered,  and  with  an  agonized  cry  of 
"  mother,  mother,"  he  burst  into  tears.  Long 
and  bitterly  he  wept,  till  at  last,  tired  and  ex- 
hausted, he  crept  over  to  the  fire,  and  laying 
his  head  against  the  sofa  fell  fast  asleep. 

It  was  late  when  he  awoke,  and  shivering 
with  cold  groped  his  way  to  the  door.  It 
had  grown  quite  dark,  and  as  the  fire  had 
gone  out  whilst  he  slept,  he  had  great  diffi- 
culty in  knowing  which  way  to  turn.  At 
length,  he  reached  the  door,  and  drawing 
back  the  bolt  passed  out  into  the  hall. 

He  was  giddy  and  faint,  for  he  had  eaten 
nothing  since  his  breakfast ;  but  he  felt  ashamed 
to  ask  the  servants  for  food  at  that  hour,  and 
resolved  to  wait  till  his  father's  dinner  at  eight 
o'clock. 

Stealing  quietly  along  through  the  hall,  lest 
any  one  should  hear  him,  he  opened  the  library 
door  and  went  in. 

It  was  a  large,  handsome  room;  the  walls 
were  lined  with  rich  paintings,  the  book-cases 


88  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

filled  with  valuable  books  ;  shaded  lamps  stood 
about  on  the  tables,  and  a  cheerful  fire  burnt 
in  the  grate. 

Shutting  the  door  softly,  Percy  looked  cau- 
tiously around ;  then  approaching  the  fire,  he 
spread  out  his  numbed  fingers  and  gazed  lov- 
ingly at  a  portrait  of  his  mother  that  hung  over 
the  mantle-piece. 

"Yes,  mother,"  he  whispered,  "I  have  been 
wicked  again — very  wicked.  But,  oh !  you 
know  how  much  I  have  to  bear,  and  how 
hard  it  is  for  me  to  be  good.  Mother,  mother, 
when  shall  I  grow  patient  and  good-tempered  ? 
When  shall  I  conquer  this  passion  and  anger, 
and  become  what  your  son  ought  to  be  ?  "  And 
the  tears  ran  down  the  boy's  cheeks ;  for  his 
mother's  face  seemed  sad  to  him  just  then. 

"What;  all  alone,  Percy?"  cried  his  father, 
entering  the  room  at  this  moment.  "Where 
isTheo?" 

"I  don't  know  where  she  is  papa,  but  I" — 

"Hullo,  my  little  man,  what's  this?  Crying 
again,  I  declare?  Now,  Percy,  this  won't  do; 
you  must  really  try  to  be  happy.  At  your 
age,  and  with  so  many  pleasant  things  about 
you,  you  should  be  as  contented  as  possible." 

"Yes,  papa,  I  know  I  should;  but  I  have 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  89 

been  angry  and  wicked  to-day,  and  that  always 
makes  me  unhappy." 

" Angry  and  wicked,  Percy?  Why  that 
sounds  very  dreadful,"  said  his  father,  draw- 
ing the  boy  upon  his  knee.  "  Why  have  you 
been  naughty?  Has  Theo  been  tormenting 
you?" 

"Xo,  no,  papa ;  Theo  has  been  very  good; 
but  you  see  I  was  angry  with  Hugh,  and" — 

•' Angry  with  Hugh?  Why,  you  seemed 
quite  fond  of  him  this  morning.  Surely  he 
did  not  do  anything  to  annoy  you?" 

"Well,  you  see,  papa,  he  would  go  home," 
said  Percy,  sadly,  "and  I  wanted  him  to  stay 
and  help  me  to  be  good,  and  he  wouldn't, 
and"— 

"And  then  you  got  cross,  I  suppose?"  said 
his  father  gravely.  "  But  Hugh  was  right  to 
go.  I  am  sure  his  mother  wanted  him ;  and, 
now,  Percy,  it  seems  to  me  you  make  too  much 
fuss  about  being  good.  You  want  to  be  good, 
only  in  your  own  way,  and  I  don't  think  that 
is  right." 

"No,  papa ;  Fm  afraid  ifs  not." 

"And  I  cannot  understand  how  Hugh  could 
help  you.  He's  only  a  little  boy,  and" — 

"But  he's  so  good,  papa,  and  talks  so  beau- 


90  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

tifully  about  God  and  heaven.  And  I  do  so 
want  to  be  good  and  go  to  heaven  to  mamma — 
I  do  so  want  to  go  to  her,"  cried  Percy  in  a 
choking  voice.  "Hugh  says  I  shall,  if — if" — 

"Hush,  Percy,  dear,"  said  Sir  Henry,  with 
tears  in  his  eyes,  as  he  raised  them  from  his 
weeping  child  to  the  face  of  his  dead  wife. 

"You  are  good,  and  you  shall  go  to  her,  of 
course ;  but  not  just  yet,  darling.  I  could 
not  spare  my  little  son — I  should  be  very 
lonely  without  him." 

** Would  you  really  be  sorry  to  lose  me, 
papa?  My  cousins  always  say  you  would 
be  glad  to  get  rid  of  your  hunchback  son. 
Charlie  Torrens  says  you  wanted  to  adopt 
him." 

"My  poor  lad.  Did  they  really  say  such 
cruel  things  to  you?  But  do  not  believe  them, 
Percy;  I  would  not  give  one  curl  of  your 
golden  hair  for  the  whole  lot  of  them.  I  did 
speak  of  adopting  Charlie,  but  only  in  a 
business  way  —  only  with  a  view  to  his  own 
interests.  I  thought  of  taking  him  into  the 
office,  and  if  he  turned  out  well,  of  giving  him 
a  partnership.  Then  I  wanted  him  to  live 
here,  and  be  a  companion  to  you.  He  is 
your  cousin,  and  I" — 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  91 

"He  could  never  be  a  companion  for  me, 
papa,"  cried  Percy,  vehemently.  "He  hates 
me,  and  loves  to  make  me  miserable.  But, 
papa  dear,  Hugh  is  quite  different.  Hugh  is 
good  and  gentle,  and  —  oh,  please,  please 
adopt  Hugh  and  make  him  my  brother," 
and,  turning  round  with  a  sudden  jerk,  Percy 
flung  his  arms  round  his  father's  neck. 

'•Your  brother,  Percy  ?"  asked  Sir  Henry, 
smiling.  "  Would  a  cousin  not  be  near 
enough,  do  you  think?" 

"Yes,  yes,"  cried  Percy;  "cousin  or 
brother,  I  don't  much  care  which,  so  long  as 
I  can  have  him  with  me  as  much  as  I  like." 

"  I  am  glad  you  like  Hugh,"  said  Sir  Henry, 
"  for  he  is,  I  think,  a  noble  fellow.  It  is  truly 
wonderful  how  he  came  to  find  that  pocket- 
book." 

"  Still  some  one  had  to  find  it,  papa." 

"  Yes,  of  course.  But  still  it  was  extraor- 
dinary I  should  happen  to  drop  it  just  where 
Hugh  stood,  and  that  he,  of  all  people,  should 
find  it." 

"  Well,  it  was  certainly  very  lucky,  for  that 
poor  little  crossing  sweeper  might  have  picked 
it  up,  and" — 


92  PERCY'S   REVENGE  : 

"But  that's  just  what  did  happen,  dear. 
Hugh  was  the  crossing  sweeper,  and  he  " — 

"Oh,  papa;  why  I  thought  Hugh  was  a 
gentleman  ?  " 

"  And  so  he  is,  dear,  as  true  a  little  gentle- 
man as  ever  was  born,"  said  Sir  Henry, 
warmly.  "And,  now  Percy,  in  order  to 
explain  matters  to  you,  I  must  tell  you  a 
story." 

"  About  Hugh,  papa?" 

"  Yes,  partly  about  Hugh.  But  first  about 
his  parents." 

"  I  shall  be  so  glad  to  hear  it,  papa.  Did 
you  go  to  see  Mrs.  Brown  to-day?" 

"  Yes,  I  went  to  see  Mrs.  Brown,  Percy, 
and  from  her  lips  I  heard  the  story  I  will  now 
tell  you.  Some  fifteen  years  ago  she  married 
Philip  Brown  and  went  to  Australia.  Her 
father  was  seriously  displeased  at  her  conduct, 
and  cast  her  off  completely.  For  some  time 
the  husband  and  wife  lived  happily  enough  in 
the  bush ;  but  at  last  Philip  grew  tired  of  the 
life  there,  sold  his  farm  and  went  to  Melbourne. 
But  he  was  not  long  satisfied  there  either,  so 
he  made  another  change,  and  carried  his  family 
off  to  London.  Longing  for  news  of  her 
father  and  sister  (for  her  mother  had  died 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  93 

before  her  marriage),  Mrs.  Brown  went  to  her 
father's  office  in  the  city,  hoping  and  praying 
that  time  had  softened  his  heart  and  lessened 
his  anger.  But  she  found  that  he  was  dead  — 
had  been  dead  for  some  years.  And  his 
daughter?  Could  they  tell  her  any  news  of 
his  daughter,  she  asked.  « Yes ;  she  had 
married  —  but  was  since  dead.'  When  I  heard 
that  my  dear  Theo  was  gone,  I  asked  no 
more,'  said  Mrs.  Brown,  and" — 

'J  Theo,"  cried  Percy.  "  Why,  that  was 
mamma's  name." 

"  Yes,  Percy,  so  it  was  ;  and  so  I  told  Mrs. 
Brown,  when  she  mentioned  her  sister's  name." 

"  '  Yes,  I  thought  so,'  she  replied.  «  When 
I  saw  the  little  packet  of  hair  with  the  name 
and  date,  I  felt  certain  that  it  belonged  to  the 
owner's  dead  wife.  But,  may  I  ask,  Sir  Henry, 
what  was  your  wife's  family  name  ? ' " 

"  Certainly,"  I  answered  ;  "  my  wife's  name 
was  Winter." 

"  « And  my  father,'  she  said,  trembling  with 
emotion,  '  my  father  was  Hugh  Winter,  of 
Mincing  Lane.' " 

"  'Then,  my  dear  Mrs.  Brown,'  I  cried,  « I 
am  your  brother-in-law,  for  my  wife  was  Theo 
Winter,  youngest  daughter  of  Hugh  Winter, 


94  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

of  Mincing  Lane.  You  must  be  the  sister 
whom  she  loved  so  well,  and  whose  loss  she 
mourned  so  long.' " 

"  '  Yes,  I  feel  certain  that  I  am  your  wife's 
sister.  This  is  the  likeness  of  my  sweet  Theo 
—  is  it  at  all  like  your  dear  wife  ? '  and  she 
handed  me  a  pretty  miniature  which  was,  in- 
deed, a  true  portrait  of  your  mother." 

"Why,  then,  papa,  Hugh  and  I  are  really 
cousins?"  cried  Percy,  with  dancing  eyes. 

"Really  cousins,  my  boy.  So  you  see  you 
have  got  your  heart's  desire." 

"And  I  cannot  tell  you  how  glad  I  am. 
Dear,  dear  Hugh.  How  happy  we  shall  be 
together.  It  is  certainly  strange  how  we  came 
to  find  it  all  out.  Now,  I  understand  why  you 
thought  it  wonderful  that  Hugh  should  pick  up 
your  pocket-book,  papa." 

"  Yes,  I  thought  you  would,"  replied  his 
father.  "  To  me  it  seems  the  most  extraor- 
dinary coincidence,  that  I  should  drop  my 
valuable  book  at  the  feet  of  my  wife's  nephew, 
of  whose  existence  I  had  not  the  faintest  notion." 

"  It  certainly  was,"  said  Percy,  thoughtfully. 
"  But  is  my  aunt  so  very  poor  that  she  was 
obliged  to  send  her  son  out  to  sweep  a  cross- 
ing? That  is  horrid  work  for  a  boy  to  do." 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  95 

"So  it  is,  and  he  shall  never  do  it  again," 
answered  Sir  Henry.  "But  his  father  had 
been  a  long  time  without  earning  anything. 
The  expense  of  his  illness  had  exhausted  the 
small  sum  that  his  wife  had  managed  to  save  or 
earn,  and  my  poor  sister-in-law  was  in  despair. 
They  were  literally  without  a  penny  and  had 
not  a  friend  to  go  to.  Then  little  Hugh  came 
to  the  rescue,  and  rushing  off  to  the  Strand, 
was  lucky  enough  to  pick  up  a  few  shillings  at 
the  crossing." 

"  Poor  boy,  it  must  have  been  disagreeable 
work,"  said  Percy,  with  a  shudder.  "  But, 
papa,  we  must  never  allow  them  to  be  so  poor 
again.  They  are  our  own  dear  relations ;  and 
we  have  a  right  to  help  them." 

"Most  certainly  we  have,  dear  boy.  I  saw 
poor  Philip  and  had  a  long  talk  with  him.  I 
told  him  that  from  this  day  he  must  look  upon 
me  as  his  brother.  If  he  gets  well,  I  shall  get 
him  as  good  a  post  in  the  city  as  he  is  capable 
of  filling.  If  he  dies,  his  wife  and  children 
shall  become  my  special  charge,  and  shall 
never  want  for  anything." 

"Oh,  papa,  I  am  so  glad  you  told  him  so," 
cried  Percy.  "But  will  my  poor  uncle  die,  do 
you  think  ?" 


96  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"It  is  hard  to  say,  Percy.  But  he  seemed 
very  weak.  That  accident,  that  he  met  with 
in  the  street,  has  shaken  him  terribly.  Then 
his  heart  is  seriously  involved.  In  fact,  the 
doctors  do  not  give  any  hope  of  his  recovery." 

"  I  am  so  sorry,  for  it  will  be  a  sad  trouble 
for  Hugh.  He  loves  his  father  very  dearly, 
and  thinks  him  wonderfully  clever." 

"  Poor  fellow,  perhaps  he  may  be,"  said  Sir 
Henry,  sadly.  "  But,  from  what  I  have  heard, 
he  lacks  perseverance  and  steadfastness  of  pur- 
pose. Without  these  virtues  it  is  impossible 
for  any  man  to  get  on,  be  he  ever  so  talented." 

"  Poor  man,"  said  Percy.  "  But,  oh,  papa, 
wouldn't  mamma  have  been  glad  to  have  seen 
my  aunt  and  Hugh  and  Susie  ?  Just  think  how 
happy  it  would  have  made  her." 

"  Yes,  indeed,  it  would,  for  she  so  often 
fretted  over  her  absent  sister.  That  thought 
would  make  us  kind  to  them,  even  if  we  did 
not  feel  anxious  to  be  so,  for  their  own  sakes." 

"  I  should  just  think  it  would,"  cried  Percy, 
eagerly.  ' '  But,  papa,  no  one  could  know  Hugh 
and  Susie,  without  loving  them  at  once.  Oh, 
won't  Theo  be  glad?  Why,  she  was  wTild  about 
Susie.  I  must  run  off  now  and  tell  her  the 
<rood  news." 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  97 

As  Percy  ran  out  of  the  room  calling  for  his 
sister,  Sir  Henry  sighed,  and  leaning  his  arms 
upon  the  mantle-piece  gazed  earnestly  at  the 
portrait  of  his  wife. 

"  My  darling  Theo,"  he  murmured  softly, 
' « would  that  you  had  been  here  to  welcome 
your  sister  and  her  children.  How  happy 
such  a  meeting  would  have  made  you.  But  I 
promise  to  do  what  I  can  to  help  them  and 
make  them  comfortable.  Hugh  will  be  a  com- 
panion for  our  poor  afflicted  son.  He  is  frank 
and  straightforward ;  his  sunny  temper  will 
help  our  Percy  to  be  bright  and  "  — 

"  Papa,  papa,  here  is  Hugh  come  back,  just 
when  we  wanted  him,"  cried  Percy,  breaking 
in  suddenly  upon  his  father's  reflections. 

Sir  Henry  turned  in  surprise,  and  there  stood 
Hugh,  looking  pale  and  anxious. 

"  And  Hugh,  did  you  hear  that  we  are 
cousins  after  all?"  cried  Percy.  "And  you 
can  come  here  as  often  as  you  like,  and  we 
shall  have  such  fun ;  but,  goodness,  what  is 
the  matter?  Why  are  you  crying?" 

"Oh,  Percy,  my" —  and  Hugh  sobbed 
aloud. 

"  My  dear  boy,  why  do  you  weep?"  asked 
Sir  Henry.  "  Is  anything  wrong  ?" 


98  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"  Oh,  Sir  Henry,"  sobbed  Hugh,  "  my  father 
is  very  ill  —  he  is  dying." 

"  Dying  ! "  cried  Sir  Henry  ;  "this  is,  indeed, 
bad  news." 

"  Hugh,  Hugh,  I  am  so  sorry,"  cried  Percy. 
"  Just  when  I  found  out  we  were  cousins,  and 
wanted  to  be  so  happy." 

"  Mother  felt  sure  my  father  was  getting 
well  again,  he  seemed  so  bright  after  your 
visit,  Sir  Henry,"  said  Hugh,  in  a  choking 
voice.  "But  he  is  much  worse  this  evening, 
and  he  is  so  anxious  to  see  you  again  before  he 
dies.  I  was  sure  you  would  come,  so  I  ran  off 
at  once  to  —  to  "  — 

And  poor  Hugh  broke  down,  weeping  bit- 
terly at  the  thoughts  of  losing  his  dear  father 
so  soon. 

"  This  is  a  great  trouble  for  you,  dear 
Hugh,"  said  Sir  Henry,  gently.  "  It  is  always 
hard  to  lose  those  we  love.  But  do  not  de- 
spair ;  whilst  there  is  life  there  is  always  hope. 
But,  if  your  father  should  die,  you  must  be 
brave  and  bear  up  for  your  mother's  sake." 

"Yes,  I  will  do  my  best,"  said  Hugh. 
"  But,  oh,  what  is  to  become  of  her  and  Susie? 
I  am  only  a  little  boy,  and  cannot  earn  money 
enough  to  support  them." 


A   STOBY  FOE  BOYS.  99 

"  But  you  are  our  cousins  now,"  cried  Percy  ; 
"  and  you  know  we  have  plenty  of  money, 
Hugh." 

"  Yes,  Hugh,  I  am  your  uncle,"  said  Sir 
Henry,  putting  his  arm  around  the  weeping 
boy,  and  drawing  him  towards  him.  "  And  as 
long  as  I  live,  neither  you  nor  your  mother 
shall  be  allowed  to  want.  If  your  father  dies 
I  shall  be  a  second  father  to  you,  and  look 
after  your  interests,  as  if  you  were  my  own 
son." 

"You  are  good  —  so  good,"  cried  Hugh, 
"  and  God  was  truly  merciful  to  send  you  to  us. 
But,  please,  uncle,  do  not  delay  any  longer. 
Let  us  hurry  away,  for  my  poor  father  was  so 
anxious  to  see  you." 

"  I  will  go  with  you  now,  at  once,  dear 
boy,"  answered  Sir  Henry,  starting  to  his  feet. 
"  Percy,  you  had  better  have  something  to 
eat,  and  go  to  bed.  I  may  be  very  late,  so  do 
not  think  of  waiting  up  for  me." 

"  I  will  do  whatever  you  wish,  my  own  dear 
fjither,"  cried  Percy,  clinging  to  Sir  Henry, 
and  kissing  him  tenderly.  "  Good-night, 
Hugh  —  dear  cousin  Hugh.  I  do  hope*  my 
uncle  may  get  well  again,  for  then  we  shall  be 
all  happy  together." 


100 


PERCY  S    REVENGE 


Poor  Hugh  sobbed  out  a  few  words  of  thanks 
to  his  new  cousin,  bade  him  a  tearful  good- 
night, and  followed  Sir  Henry  out  of  the  room. 

Percy  took  his  father's  advice,  ate  a  hasty 
repast,  and  retired  to  bed.  He  was  worn  out 
with  weeping  and  excitement,  and  soon  dropped 
off  into  a  deep  refreshing  sleep. 


CHAPTER  VIT. 

GREAT   CHANGES   FOR   ALL. 

F^HILIP  BROWN  died  next  day,  a  happy, 
peaceful  death.  The  poor  man  was  recon- 
ciled to  his  fate,  and  quite  content  to  go.  He 
knew  that  his  wife  and  children  were  in  good 
hands,  and  he  died  blessing  God  for  having 
sent  them  such  a  true  friend  as  Sir  Henry 
Randall.  This  was  a  sorrowful  time  for  Hugh 
and  his  mother ;  but  their  grief  was  greatly 
softened  by  the  kindness  of  their  benefactor, 
and  his  warm-hearted  children.  Long  and 
earnest  were  the  consultations  between  Mrs. 
Brown  and  her  brother-in-law,  as  to  what  was 
best  to  be  done  for  the  little  family  in  the 
future. 

Sir  Henry  most  generously  undertook  their 
entire  support,  and  settled  a  comfortable  in- 
come upon  Mrs.  Brown  for  her  life.  Touched 

(101) 


102  PERCY'S  REVENGE: 

to  the  heart  by  so  much  kindness  the  good  lady 
tried  to  thank  him,  and,  with  tears  in  her  eyes, 
bade  God  bless  him  for  his  noble  conduct.  But 
Sir  Henry  only  smiled,  and  assured  her  that  he 
was  but  doing  his  duty. 

"Your  father  was  a  wealthy  man,  dear 
friend,"  he  said,  "and,  had  you  been  living  at 
home  at  his  death,  you  would  have  received 
at  least  half  the  fortune  that  was  left  to  my 
wife." 

"Yes.  That  is,  if  I  had  never  displeased 
him,"  she  cried.  "But,  Henry,  you  know  he 
died  without  forgiving  me." 

"Had  you  been  near,  I  feel  sure  that  for- 
giveness would  have  been  yours,  Lucy,"  he 
answered,  gravely.  "But,  thank  God,  I  have 
found  you,  and  am  able  to  restore  the  money 
that  should  have  been  yours  many  years  ago." 

"You  are  a  noble  fellow,  Henry,"  cried  the 
widow.  "My  children  and  I  shall  pray  for 
you  night  and  day." 

"Thanks,  dear  sister;  but  do  not  let  the 
thoughts  of  this  money  oppress  you.  Take 
it  as  your  own,  and  do  not  praise  me  too 
loudly  for  doing  my  duty." 

"I  shall  do  as  you  wish,"  she  answered, 
pressing  his  hand.  "But  you  cannot  prevent 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  103 

me  having  my  own  thoughts  about  your  good- 
ness." 

"No,  I  suppose  not,"  he  said  laughing. 
"But,  now,  when  are  you  going  to  leave  this 
lodging  and  come  to  Holland  Park?  There 
is  plenty  of  room  for  you  all." 

"Many  thanks,  Henry;  but,  for  various 
reasons,  I  would  rather  stay  where  I  am  for 
the  present.  I  am  not  accustomed  to  such  an 
establishment  as  yours,  and  I  would  rather  be 
quiet  for  some  months  to  come." 

"I  can  quite  understand  that,  dear,"  said  Sir 
Henry;  "but  poor  Percy  will  be  so  terribly 
disappointed.  He  is  most  anxious  to  have 
Hugh  with  him.  In  fact,  he  would  like  to 
have  him  to  live  with  him,  study  with  him, 
and"* — 

"And  would  you  like  that  arrangement?" 

"Most  certainly  I  would.  It  would  be 
splendid  for  Percy,"  said  Sir  Henry,  earnestly. 
"If  you  could  bring  yourself  to  spare  Hugh, 
it  is  what  I  should  like  above  all  things." 

"  Then,  I  see  no  reason  why  he  should  not 
go  to  you.  He  can  come  to  see  me  very 
often,  and  it  will  make  me  happy  to  think 
that  I  have  been  able  to  do  you  the  smallest 
service." 


104  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

And  so  it  was  arranged,  that  after  the  first 
few  weeks  of  mourning,  Hugh  was  to  take  up 
his  abode  at  Holland  Park,  whilst  Susie  and 
his  mother  remained  in  their  lodgings  till  a 
pretty  house  could  be  taken  and  furnished  for 
them  in  the  neighborhood  of  Richmond. 

Thus  everything  was  comfortably  settled, 
and,  about  a  month  after  his  father's  death, 
Hugh  went  off  with  a  light  heart  to  begin  a 
new  life  in  his  uncle's  house. 

The  young  Randalls  were  delighted  at  the 
thoughts  of  having  their  cousin  always  with 
them,  and  they  did  all  they  could  to  make  his 
room  look  nice  and  pretty, 

"  I  am  so  sorry  he  cannot  have  a  room  near 
mine,"  said  Percy;  "  but  as  there  is  none,  of 
course,  he  must  go  upstairs." 

"  The  blue  room  looks  very  snug,  now  that 
we  have  put  books  and  things  about  on  the 
tables,"  replied  Theo,  "and  I  am  sure  Hugh 
will  like  it  very  much ;  but,  do  you  know, 
Percy,  I  am  afraid  the  servants  will  not  be 
very  polite  to  him.  Just  fancy  Ivapes  wonder- 
ing that  we  would  give  such  a  handsome  room 
to  a  poor  relation.  Wasn't  it  impudent  of 
her?" 

"  A  poor  relation,  indeed  !  "  cried  Percy,  in- 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  105 

dignantly.  "  How  does  she  know  whether  he 
is  poor  or  not  ?  " 

"  Oh,  Kapes  knows  everything,"  said  Theo. 
"  She  asks  so  many  questions  and  listens  to  our 
talks." 

"  Well,  you  are  very  silly  to  answer  her 
questions.  I  don't  think  it's  at  all  nice  for  a 
young  lady  to  gossip  so  much  with  a  servant. 
I  wouldn't  do  it  if  I  were  you." 

"  But  Kapes  has  been  here  so  long.  It 
seems  quite  natural  to  tell  her  everything, 
Percy." 

"I  think  she  has  been  here  too  long  then; 
and  if  she  doesn't  take  care,  and  mind  her  own 
business,  papa  will  soon  send  her  spinning." 

"  She  doesn't  believe  that  papa  would  ever 
send  her  away,"  said  Theo,  shaking  her  head. 
"  She  is  a  good  servant,  and  has  been  here  for 
so  many  years.  But,  oh,  Percy,  do  you  know 
what  she  has  done  ?  She  wrote  and  told  Aunt 
Lydia  all  about  Hugh  and  Aunt  Lucy.  Won't 
she  be  in  a  rage  ?  " 

"  Well,  what  if  she  is?"  said  Percy  fiercely. 
"  Aunt  Lydia  has  no  right  to  say  a  word.  She 
ought  to  be  glad  that  dear  mamma's  sister  has 
been  found  again.  And  as  for  Hugh,  I  suppose 
papa  can  do  what  he  likes  in  his  own  house ! 


106  PERCY'S   REVENGE  : 

He  may  ask  who  he  likes  to  come  here  with- 
out her  permission,  I  should  think." 

"Yes,  of  course,  he  can;  but  then  Aunt 
Lydia  makes  such  a  fuss,  and  I  know  she 
makes  papa  unhappy  with  things  she  says. 
She  wanted  him  to  adopt  Charlie,  and  now  she 
will  be  angry  when  she  hears  about  Hugh." 

"I'm  sure  I  hope  she  may,"  said  Percy, 
laughing.  "  Perhaps  it  will  keep  the  whole 
family  from  coming  here  to  stay,  and  that 
would  be  a  blessing.  But,  listen,  Theo,  don't 
you  hear  a  cab?  I'm  sure  I  heard  one  stop. 
Yes  —  so  I  did.  Hurra,  hurra,  I'm  sure  it's 
Hugh.  I  shall  go  out  and  meet  him." 

As  Percy  ran  down  the  hall,  a  ring  was 
heard  at  the  bell,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the 
door  was  flung  open,  and  Hugh  entered  the 
house. 

He  was  slightly  flushed,  and  his  voice 
trembled  nervously,  as  he  asked  the  footman 
to  carry  in  his  trunk. 

"  Hurra,  hurra,  there  you  are,  my  boy," 
cried  Percy.  "  Welcome  home,  welcome 
home." 

And,  at  his  cousin's  cheery  tones,  Hugh's 
embarrassment  vanished,  and  he  became  his 
own  bright  self  again. 


A    STORY    FOR    BOYS.  107 

"  Take  that  trunk  up  stairs,  John,"  said 
Percy.  "  The  blue  room  is  to  be  Master 
Hugh's." 

"Yes,  Master  Percy,"  answered  the  foot- 
man, respectfully,  and  shouldering  the  box  he 
disappeared  up  the  back-stairs. 

"  And  now  come  along  and  see  Theo.  She 
thought  it  more  dignified  to  receive  you  in 
state."  And  laughing  merrily,  Percy  put  his 
arm  round  Hugh,  and  led  him  away  to  his  room. 

There  Theo  awaited  them,  and  running  for- 
ward, she,  too,  welcomed  Hugh  with  eager  de- 
light. 

"You  know  this  room,  my  boy,"  said  Percy. 
"  This  is  my  own  special  sanctum,  and  it's  a 
great  favor  to  be  allowed  in  here,  I  can  tell 
you.  Theo  is  sometimes  bolted  out  of  it  for 
days ;  but  that  is  when  we  fight ;  you  and  I 
will  never  fight,  Hugh." 

"  I  hope  not,"  answered  Hugh,  gravely. 

"  I  was  sorry  not  to  have  you  sleeping  near 
me ;  but  there  was  no  room.  I  always  sleep 
in  this  little  nest,"  said  Percy,  and  raising  a 
crimson  curtain  he  displayed  a  large  alcove 
fitted  up  as  a  bedroom.  "  Papa  likes  me  to 
stay  here.  He  thinks  it  more  convenient  for 
me  than  running  up  and  down  stairs." 


108  PERCY'S   REVENGE: 

"  Yes,  I  am  sure  it  is,"  said  Hugh.  "  And 
it  all  looks  nice  and  comfortable." 

"  So  it  is,  as  snug  as  possible.  Papa  took 
great  pains  to  get  me  every  thing  I  wanted. 
He  put  up  a  bath,  you  see,  quite  close.  Then, 
that  thick  curtain  instead  of  a  door,  and  that 
passage,  which  he  always  keeps  filled  with 
flowers,  cuts  me  off  from  the  rest  of  the  house. 
I  can  lock  the  door  at  the  end  if  I  choose,  and 
then  no  one  can  come  near  me." 

"  It  is  a  regular  little  house  all  to  yourself," 
said  Hugh,  smiling.  "  But  what  is  this  door?" 

"That  goes  up  the  back-stairs,  in  case  I 
wanted  to  run  up  quickly  to  papa's  room  at 
any  time.  I  have  a  key  for  that,  too  ;  but  come 
and  let  us  have  our  tea,  Hugh.  You  know  this 
part  of  the  world  pretty  well  now.  By-and-by 
I  will  show  you  your  own  little  den." 

The  table  was  spread  for  tea,  and  the  little 
Randalls  were  anxious  to  make  their  visitor 
partake  of  all  the  good  things  that  they  had  set 
out  in  his  honor.  But  Hugh  was  excited  and 
strange,  and  had  little  appetite  for  anything. 

"  TTas  Susie  sorry  to  part  with  you,  Hugh?" 
asked  Theo.  "  Did  she  want  to  come  with 
you?" 

"Yes,  she  was  very  sorry,  poor  darling," 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  109 

said  Hugh,  his  eyes  filling  with  tears.  '*  But 
I  promised  to  ask  cousin  Theo  to  have  her  to 
spend  a  day  with  her  soon." 

"Of  course  I  will,  the  pet,"  cried  Theo. 
"  I  wish  aunt  and  she  had  come  with  you." 

"  Mamma  did  not  care  to  do  that  for  some 
time  yet,"  and  Hugh's  tears  fell  fast. 

"  Oh,  well,  you  must  not  fret,  Hugh,  dear," 
said  Percy,  kindly.  "  You  will  often  see 
them  both.  When  aunt  is  at  Richmond  we 
shall  drive  down  to  see  her  constantly;  and 
after  awhile  she  will  come  here." 

"  Yes,  I  know — I  know,"  said  Hugh,  in  a 
low  voice.  "  But  I  never  was  away  from  my 
mother  and  sister  before,  and"  — 

"  I  am  sure  it  is  hard  to  leave  them,"  cried 
Percy ;  "  but  still  you  must  not  be  unhappy 
about  it.  They  are  not  very  far  off,  and  you 
are  with  cousins  who  love  you  dearly.  Come 
along  and  I  will  show  you  your  room." 

"  It  is  quite  ready,"  said  Theo,  "  and  I  hope 
you  will  like  it,  Hugh.  Percy  and  I  arranged 
it  ourselves  this  morning." 

* '  You  are  both  very  good,"  answered  Hugh. 
"  I  never  thought  you  would  be  so  good  and 
kind." 

"  Don't   praise  us  too  much,  Hugh,"  said 


110  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

Percy,  gayly.  "  Just  wait  a  little  before  you 
decide  about  our  goodness.  You  need  not 
imagine  that  we  are  always  as  amiable  as  this. 
We  shall  torment  you  finely  before  you  are 
very  long  with  us,  or  I  am  greatly  mistaken. 
But  come  up  stairs  with  me  now." 

Hugh  was  in  raptures  with  his  room.  He 
had  never  seen  such  a  beautiful  one  before,  and 
pinched  himself  several  times  to  make  sure  that 
he  was  not  dreaming. 

The  dainty  pale  blue  hangings  and  pretty 
curtained  bed  were  far  too  pretty,  he  thought ; 
and  he  shouted  with  joy  when  he  saw  the 
bookcase  full  of  choice  books  —  the  writing- 
desk  with  its  exquisite  contents. 

Here  he  felt,  no  matter  what  occurred,  no 
matter  who  was  unkind  to  him,  he  could  make 
himself  perfectly  happy. 

Percy  was  much  pleased  with  his  cousin's 
evident  delight,  and  told  him  that  all  the  room 
contained  was  his  own,  to  do  exactly  what  he 
liked  with. 

Hugh  thanked  him  again  and  again,  and  was 
so  much  overcome  with  gratitude  and  aston- 
ishment, that  Percy  thought  it  best  to  leave 
him  to  recover  himself  at  his  leisure. 

"  You  will  soon   get   accustomed   to   your 


A   STORY   FOB   BOYS.  Ill 

room  and  to  us,  Hugh,  and  you  will  find 
that  we  are  not  half  so  pleasant  as  we  look. 
But  good-night.  Sleep  well  We  are  to 
begin  our  lessons  to-morrow  with  Mr.  Barker, 
so  you  must  be  up  early,"  and  kissing  his  hand, 
Percy  shut  the  door,  and  ran  down  stairs. 

In  a  very  short  time  Hugh  became  quite 
happy  in  his  new  home.  He  had  every  com- 
fort that  money  could  buy ;  was  treated  with 
great  kindness  by  his  uncle  and  cousins ;  and 
managed  to  spend  many  days  and  nights  with 
his  darling  mother  and  little  sister. 

Percy  was  rather  hard  to  deal  with  at  times  ; 
but  then  he  was  always  so  sorry  when  he  had 
behaved  badly,  so  penitent  after  a  fit  of  pas- 
sion, that  Hugh  could  not  feel  vexed  with  him 
long,  and  soon  learned  to  love  his  poor  de- 
formed cousin  with  a  strong  affection. 

Sir  Henry  had  provided  the  boys  with  a 
clever  tutor,  and  they  worked  at  their  studies 
with  great  eagerness  and  attention.  Hugh  was 
far  in  advance  of  Percy,  and  was  able  to  help 
him  to  prepare  his  lessons.  They  both  made 
rapid  progress,  and  Mr.  Barker  was  well 
pleased  with  his  pupils. 

Theo  grew  very  fond  of  Hugh,  and  often 
wondered  what  he  had  done  to  make  Percy  so 


112  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

nice  and  good-tempered  ;  whilst  Sir  Henry  was 
truly  thankful  to  him  for  bringing  so  much 
sunshine  into  his  little  son's  life. 

"It  is  really  wonderful,  Hugh,  how  the  time 
passes  now,"  said  Percy,  one  day.  "It  used 
to  creep  over  so  slowly  that  a  week  seemed  a 
long,  tiresome  time  to  go  through." 

"Ah,  that  was  because  you  were  idle,"  said 
Hugh,  with  a  smile.  "Now  we  have  so  much 
to  do  that  the  days  pass  quite  quickly." 

"  I  should  just  think  they  did,"  said  Percy, 
laughing.  "  Why,  I  declare,  I  have  hardly 
time  to  call  my  soul  my  own,  between  you  and 
Mr.  Barker.  And  do  you  know,  Hugh,  I  have 
not  been  in  a  rage  for  a  whole  fortnight." 

"  So  much  the  better,"  answered  Hugh, 
gayly.  "But  I've  got  some  good  news  for 
you.  Mr.  Barker  is  not  coming  this  after- 
noon, so  we  can  go  where  we  like." 

"How  jolly,"  cried  Percy.  "Shall  wre  go 
and  see  Aunt  Lucy,  and  take  Susie  some 
chocolate  creams?" 

"No,  thanks.  I  am  going  to  see  them  on 
Sunday,  and  I  saw  them  yesterday,  so  I  think 
we  might  go  somewhere  else  to-day." 

"  Where  shall  it  be,  then?" 

"  Well,"  said  Hugh,  gravely,  "  I  should  like 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  113 

to  go  to  the  Children's  Hospital,  in  Great 
Ormond  Street." 

"Oh,  but"  —  said  Percy,  flushing,  "there 
are  so  many  strangers  there  —  I" — 

"  You  don't  like  strangers,  I  know,"  replied 
Hugh,  gently.  "  But  still,  Percy,  they  are 
only  poor,  suffering  little  children.  A  boy  I 
used  to  know  is  there,  and  I  want  to  take  him 
something.  He  broke  his  leg,  poor  chap,  and 
has  a  good  deal  of  pain  to  bear.  Mother  goes 
to  see  him  very  often,  and  he  told  her  he  was 
sure  I  would  be  too  proud  to  visit  him  now." 

"Too  proud  to  visit  whom,  Hugh?"  asked 
Theo,  coming  in  at  this  moment 

"  Too  proud  to  visit  no  one,  fair  cousin," 
said  Hugh,  laughing.  "  But  a  fellow  I  know 
has  broken  his  leg,  and  been  carried  to  the 
hospital,  and  he  thinks  I  am  too  grand  now  to 
go  to  see  him." 

"  But  you  are  not,"  said  Theo,  decidedly. 
"  And  I'm  not.  Let  us  all  three  go  some 
day." 

"  I  want  to  go  to-day  —  now  — but  Percy" — 

"  Oh,  Percy  will  come  ;  it  will  be  charming," 
cried  Theo.  "  TTe'll  take  some  oranges  and 
cakes  for  the  little  ones.  Say  you'll  come." 

But  Percy  was  lost   in   thought.      It  was 


]  14  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

always  an  effort  for  him  to  meet  strangers,  so 
conscious  was  he  of  his  sad  deformity. 

"  Hugh,"  he  said,  after  a  few  moments' 
reflection,  "is  it  a  good  thing  to  visit  these 
sick  children  ?  Does  —  does  —  God  like  us  to 
go?" 

"Yes,  indeed,  He  does,  Percy.  It  will  please 
God  very  much,  and  will  do  us  a  great  deal  of 
good." 

"Then  I  will  go,"  said  Percy,  and  he  turned 
to  get  his  hat. 

' '  I  must  pack  up  a  few  things  to  take  with 
us,"  cried  Theo,  and  off  she  flew  to  make  her 
preparations. 

A  few  hours  later  the  three  children  pre- 
sented themselves  at  the  door  of  the  hospital 
and  were  speedily  admitted.  They  asked  to 
be  taken  to  the  accident  ward,  and  were  led 
into  a  large  room  around  which  were  ranged 
a  great  many  little  beds. 

The  place  looked  bright  and  pleasant,  and  a 
number  of  small  heads  were  popped  up  from 
the  pillows  to  gaze  at  the  visitors. 

Hugh's  friend  was  a  boy  of  eight  years  old, 
who  had  managed  to  break  his  leg  a  few  weeks 
before.  But  it  was  now  almost  mended,  and 
he  was  going  home  very  soon. 


A   STORY   FOR  BOYS.  115 

"ITm  sorry  to  go,  for  ifs  like  heaven  to  be 
here,"  he  said  to  Hugh,  with  a  sigh.  "Bat 
mother  wants  me  badly  to  help  her  wid  the 
young  runs." 

Percy  wandered  up  and  down,  looking  sad 
and  perplexed.  He  glanced  with  pity  at  the 
little  pale  faces,  but  did  not  dare  to  speak  to 
any  one,  and  shrank  away  as  though  in  pain, 
when  a  nurse  passed  him  by. 

But  Theo  was  quite  at  home  amongst  the 
children,  and  set  them  all  laughing  about  her, 
as  she  plied  them  with  questions  and  good 
things. 

"Percy,"  she  cried,  "come  over  here  and 
look  at  this  little  fellow.  See  how  cheerful 
and  happy  he  is." 

Percy  went  somewhat  closer,  and  looked 
curiously  at  the  boy,  who  had  a  pinched,  thin 
face  and  a  crooked,  twisted  back. 

"He  says  his  father  was  a  Punch  and  Judy 
man,"  said  Theo,  "and  that  he  used  to  go 
about  with  him  and  collect  pennies  after  each 
performance.  But  he  fell  down  stairs  and 
broke  his  back,  and  the  doctors  say  he  will 
never  be  able  to  walk  straight  again." 

"Poor  little  man,"  said  Percy,  softly,  "and 
yet  he  can  smile  and  look  happy." 


116  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"Oh,  yes;  he  says  he  doesn't  mind  much 
now.  His  father  has  promised  to  make  him 
a  cobbler  —  a  man  that  mends  shoes,  you 
know." 

"A  pleasant  look-out  certainly,"  said  Percy. 
"I  can't  think  how  he  can  look  so  cheerful — 
but  he  doesn't  understand — he  doesn't  feel; 
he's  only  a  baby." 

"I'm  not  a  baby,"  said  the  mite,  in  a  shrill 
voice.  "I'm  six  years  old — and  I  know  very 
well  —  but  I  don't  mean  to  fret ;  for  nurse  says 
it  was  God  let  me  fall;  and  He  will  always 
love  me  an'  take  care  of  me,  an'  mother  says 
it  will  maybe  keep  me  from  wicked  ways." 

"You  are  a  good  little  boy,  and  I'm  sure 
God  loves  you  very  dearly,"  said  Theo,  and 
giving  him  a  double  supply  of  cakes  she  passed 
on  to  the  next  bed. 

But  this  little  one,  a  girl  of  nine,  was 
frightened  at  her  approach,  and  hid  her  head 
under  the  bed-clothes. 

"She  won't  speak  to  me,"  said  Theo  to  the 
nurse.  "What  is  the  matter  with  her?" 

"Poor  child,  she  is  afraid  of  every  one," 
answered  the  nurse.  "She  had  a  drunken 
father  who  beat  her  so  dreadfully  that  he 
nearly  frightened  her  out  of  her  senses.  She 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  117 

broke  her  leg,  and  her  mother  brought  her 
here.  Her  father  is  dead  since;  so  I  hope 
she  will  be  happier  when  she  goes  home 
again." 

"I  wish  she  would  look  up,"  said  Theo. 
"I  like  to  see  the  little  things  smile  at  me." 

"Yes,"  said  the  nurse;  "but  I  think  that 
child  has  forgotten  how  to  smile,  she  has  had 
so  much  sorrow." 

"Poor  little  girl,"  said  Theo  softly.  "Oh, 
Percy,  how  happy  we  ought  to  be." 

"Yes,  I  know;  but  come  home,  Theo.  I 
don't  like  this  place.  It  makes  me  feel  ashamed 
to  think  how  cross  and  discontented  I  am,  and 
how  good  they  are." 

"Rich  children  are  apt  to  forget  to  be  thank- 
ful to  God  for  all  the  good  things  He  has 
given  them,"  said  the  nurse,  gently.  "They 
grumble  and  complain  about  small  trifles,  and 
never  remember  those  who  are  in  real  sorrow 
and  distress." 

"I  will  come  again,"  said  Theo,  lingering  to 
take  a  last  look  at  her  little  favorite  with  the 
crooked  back.  "  I  will  come  again,  for  I  love 
to  hear  them  talk." 

But  Percy  was  impatient  to  be  off,  and  call- 
ing to  Hugh,  he  hurried  him  down  stairs. 


118 


PERCY S    REVENGE 


' '  I  feel  as  though  I  should  have  cried  had  I 
stayed  there  any  longer,"  he  said  to  his  cousin. 
"But  from  this  day  I  will  try  my  best  not  to 
complain  because  God  has  made  me  a  hunch- 
back." 

' '  That  is  right,"  said  Hugh,  brightly.  ' '  For, 
indeed,  indeed,  it  does  not  matter  one  bit." 


CHAPTER 

AN   UNEXPECTED   VISITOR. 

SIR  Henry  Randall  was  an  affectionate  father, 
and  desired  nothing  so  much  as  the  happi- 
ness of  his  children.  But  he  was  much  occupied 
and  greatly  sought  after,  and  so  the  little  people 
were  left  very  much  to  themselves.  Many  of 
his  friends  advised  him  to  marry  again,  for  he 
was  young,  handsome,  and  rich ;  but  he  loved 
the  memory  of  his  dead  wife  too  dearly  ever  to 
think  of  putting  another  in  her  place.  Others 
said  he  should  have  an  elderly  lady  to  look 
after  his  household  and  keep  his  children  in 
order.  This,  again,  was  an  idea  that  neither 
he  nor  his  little  ones  approved  of,  and  so  they 
went  on  leading  an  independent  life  that  shocked 
their  friends  and  relations. 

Sir  Henry  was  the  most  indulgent  of  men. 
He  rarely  found  fault  with  his  children,  and 
allowed  them  upon  every  occasion  to  do  ex- 
actly as  they  pleased. 

(119) 


120  PERCY'S   KEVENGE  : 

In  this  he  was  wrong,  however.  He  loved 
his  little  ones  and  desired  to  see  them  happy ; 
but  he  forgot  that  it  is  only  by  learning  young 
to  correct  our  faults  and  overcome  our  passions 
that  we  can  ever  hope  for  happiness  in  this 
world.  Lessons  in  patience  and  self-denial  are 
more  precious  than  all  the  pleasures  that  wealth 
can  buy.  By  them  alone  we  are  enabled  to 
bear  the  troubles  and  afflictions  that  must  come 
to  each  one  of  us  in  due  time. 

The  truth  of  this,  Percy  and  his  father 
learned  to  their  cost  when  the  hour  of  temp- 
tation came  round. 

Meanwhile,  things  went  on  pleasantly,  the 
children  had  their  own  way,  were  delighted  with 
their  new  companion,  and  were  extremely  happy . 

But  the  time  of  trial  was  at  hand,  although 
they  knew  it  not. 

One  evening,  about  a  week  after  the  visit  to 
the  hospital,  Hugh  sat  alone  in  Percy's  room. 
The  other  children  had  gone  to  have  a  chat 
with  their  father,  and  he  gladly  took  advantage 
of  the  quiet  to  enjoy  a  little  reading. 

But  his  peaceful  enjoyment  was  of  short 
duration,  for  very  soon  the  curtain  was  plucked 
aside,  and  Percy  and  his  sister  came  bounding 
across  the  room. 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  121 


"  Hugh,  my  old  student,"  cried  Percy 
**  papa  has  just  gone  off  to  a  dinner  party,  so 
wake  up  from  your  book,  and  let  us  have  some 
fun." 

"  What  shall  we  do?"  asked  Hugh,  spring- 
ing to  his  feet.  "  Shall  we  act  charades?  I've 
thought  of  such  a  splendid  word." 

'*  Xo,  no,  there  are  too  few  for  charades  to- 
night Ifs  better  to  have  them  when  papa  is 
here  as  audience." 

"  Poor  Uncle  Henry,"  said  Hugh,  laughing. 
"  It's  too  bad  to  ask  him  to  listen  to  our  non- 
sense. It  must  bore  him  greatly." 

««  Not  at  all,"  said  Percy.  "  So  long  as  we 
are  happy  he  is  quite  pleased." 

••I  know  what  -we'll  do,"  cried  Theo.  "Boys, 
it  will  be  capital." 

"  What?"  asked  the  boys. 

"  Let  us  turn  out  the  gas  all  through  the 
house  and  play  «  Dark  Forty.'" 

"Splendid,"  cried  Percy.  "I'll  hide  my 
eyes,  and  you  two  run  off.  Turn  out  the 
gas  as  you  go  along.  Here  goes  for  this 
room."  And  in  an  instant  they  were  all  in  the 
dark. 

Away  went  Theo  and  Hugh  racing  and 
laughing.  Out  went  the  gas  in  passages  and 


122  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

on  stairs,  arid  in  a  few  minutes  the  big  house 
was  in  complete  darkness. 

Then  came  Percy,  groping  his  way  up  and 
down,  till  at  last  Theo  was  caught,  and  had  to 
take  her  turn  at  counting  forty,  till  the  others 
were  hidden. 

What  fun  they  had.  Up  the  stairs  and  down 
again;  into  rooms  and  up  on  beds;  banging 
doors  and  opening  others  stealthily.  Such 
shrieks  of  laughter,  such  racing  and  jumping, 
till  at  last,  hot  and  exhausted,  they  returned 
to  Percy's  room. 

"  I  don't  know  when  I  enjoyed  anything  so 
much,"  said  Percy,  flinging  himself  on  the  sofa. 
"  But  I  am  hot." 

"  I  should  just  think  so,"  cried  Hugh.  "  But 
I  think  a  little  light  would  be  pleasant,"  and 
he  sprang  to  turn  up  the  gas. 

"  Let  us  rest  ourselves  now,"  said  Theo, 
giving  the  fire  a  poke.  "  It  will  be  very  nice 
to  have  a  long  chat  and  a  rest." 

"  Yes,  jolly,"  said  Percy;  "but,  I  say,  are 
you  two  aware  that  it's  near  Christmas  ?  " 

"  Yes,  in  three  weeks'  time  we'll  have  Christ- 
mas Day,"  said  Hugh. 

"  We  shall  have  such  a  pleasant  one   this 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  123 


year,"  said  Percy.  "  Just  ourselves  and  a  few 
friends  of  papa's." 

"  But  I'm  sure  Charlie  and  Cecil  will  expect 
to  be  asked  during  the  holidays,"  said  Theo. 
"  They  always  were  before." 

"  They're  a  pair  of  cads,"  said  Percy,  "  and 
I  hate  them  both." 

"  Hush,  Percy,  you  must  not  say  that,"  said 
Hugh.  "  It's  very  wrong." 

"  Besides,  they  are  your  own  cousins,"  said 
Theo.  "They're  not  very  nice,  I  must  say; 
but  still  they  are  gentlemen." 

"  Not  they,"  cried  Percy.  "  They  have  been 
to  Eton,  and  they  dress  well,  but  they  swagger 
about  too  much  to  be  gentlemen." 

"  Why,  Percy,  that  was  Charlie's  favorite 
word,  '  swagger.'  Everything  was  'swagger' 
with  him.  I  wonder  you  say  it  when  you 
think  so  little  of  him." 

"  Yes,  but  I  always  think  of  it  when  I  men- 
tion his  name.  But  you  have  no  idea  how 
disagreeable  those  fellows  are,  Hugh.  The  last 
time  they  were  here  they  killed  my  dear  old  bat." 

"Killed  a  bat,"  cried  Hugh.  "Why,  I 
thought " — 

"  Perhaps  you  never,  saw  one,"  said  Percy  ;  * 
*  See  White's  "Natural  History  of  Selborne.' 


124  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 


"  but  I  had  a  tame,  long-eared  bat  for  a  long 
time.  It  used  to  eat  flies  out  of  my  hand,  and 
I  was  very  fond  of  it.  Those  cruel  fellows 
killed  it." 

"  Well,  I  wasn't  sorry  for  that,  Percy,"  said 
Theo.  "  It  was  a  disgusting  creature.  I  used 
to  hate  to  see  it  hanging  up  there  by  its 
heels." 

"Heels!  By  its  hind  claws,"  cried  Percy. 
"But  you  were  very  foolish  not  to  like  it. 
It  was  such  a  queer  thing  that  I  loved  it." 

"  A  great  deal  too  queer  for  my  taste,"  said 
Hugh,  laughing.  "  There  were  numbers  of 
them  flying  about  our  street,  in  the  summer 
time,  and  we  were  dreadfully  afraid  of  them. 
The  chaps  used  to  imitate  their  cry  by  scrap- 
ing two  keys  together  during  school  hours." 

"  That  was  capital,"  said  Theo.  "  But  I  am 
sure  the  master  was  very  angry." 

"  Well,  no  ;  because  he  never  knew  who  did 
it.  He  thought  the  bats  were  behaving  badly. 
The  poor  man  used  to  look  up  at  the  ceiling, 
and  into  all  the  corners  of  the  room.  But,  of 
course,  he  never  saw  any  bats." 

"  I  shall  try  and  get  another  next  summer," 
said  Percy.  "I  love  .queer  things.  They 
comfort  me  some  way." 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  125 

Theo  and  Hugh  both  laughed  heartily  at 
this,  declaring  he  was  a  "  very  queer  thing " 
himself.  Upon  this,  Percy  flung  the  cushion 
at  Hugh's  head.  Hugh  returned  it  with  a 
merry  laugh,  and  a  scrimmage  ensued,  as  a 
matter  of  course.  Flushed  and  excited,  his 
face  lighted  up  with  a  radiant  smile,  Percy 
stood  upon  the  sofa,  the  velvet  cushion  raised 
above  his  head,  when  suddenly  the  visitors' 
bell  pealed  loudly  through  the  house. 

"  Some  one  for  papa,"  he  remarked,  and 
sent  the  pillow  flying  at  Hugh's  merry  face. 

"  Hush,  Hugh — Percy,  listen,"  cried  Theo. 
**  There  is  some  fuss  going  on.  Who  can  be 
calling  at  such  an  hour  ?  " 

"  It  is  a  woman's  voice,"  cried  Hugh,  quickly. 
"  Could  it  be  my  mother?  Can  any  thing  have 
happened  ? " 

"  Nonsense,  Hugh,  old  man.  "What  could 
have  happened?"  said  Percy,  soothingly; 
"  but,  Theo,  Theo — how  dreadful !  It  is  Aunt 
Lydia,  I  am  sure." 

"Aunt  Lydia,  Percy?  Oh,  I  hope  not. 
What  in  the  world  would  bring  her  here 
now?" 

"  Well,  Aunt  Lydia  it  is,  any  way,"  said 
Percy.  "  Don't  you  hear  that  little  brute, 


126  PERCY'S  REVENGE: 

Spark,  barking?  And  listen,  there  is  Mary 
Ann's  shrill,  squeaking  voice." 

"  Oh,  dear,  oh,  dear,"  sighed  Theo.  "  Why 
does  she  come  here  now  ?  Just  when  we  are  all 
so  happy  together.  What  shall  we  do?  What 
shall  we  do?" 

"  Hide,"  cried  Percy.  "  Oh,  how  I  wish  I 
had  locked  the  door.  Hugh  —  Theo  —  here 
she  comes.  Run  under  the  sofa,  Theo.  Hugh 
and  I  will  creep  into  my  bed,"  and,  lifting  the 
curtain,  Percy  disappeared  into  the  alcove, 
dragging  Hugh  along  with  him. 

But  Theo  remained  standing  in  the  middle  of 
the  room.  She  did  not  care  to  double  herself 
up  in  an  uncomfortable  position  for  dear  knows 
how  long,  and  was  meditating  a  flight  up  the 
back  stairs,  when  she  felt  herself  seized  by  the 
arm  and  turned  suddenly  round  to  face  the 
angry  looks  of  her  indignant  aunt. 

"  Well,  upon  my  word,  this  is  a  nice  way  to 
receive  a  visitor,  and  your  own  father's  sister," 
cried  the  angry  lady.  "The  whole  house  in 
darkness,  and  not  a  fire  anywhere,  till  I  find 
my  way  into  this  den." 

"But  we  did  not  expect  you,  Aunt  Lydia. 
We  were  playing  '  Dark  Forty,'  and  so  we 
turned  out  the  gas  all  over  the  place,"  and 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  127 

Theo  wriggled  away  from  her  aunt  as  fast  as 
she  could. 

"  Dear  me,  what  a  rude  child  you  are,"  she 
cried,  sinking  down  on  the  sofa;  "  and  is  this 
the  way  you  behave  yourselves  in  the  even- 
ings? Making  a  common  play-ground  of  your 
father's  beautiful  house." 

"  Yes,  of  course,"  said  Theo,  tossing  her 
head.  "  Papa  does  not  mind.  He  lets  us  do 
exactly  what  we  like." 

"  Humph,  does  he,  indeed?  Then,  more 
fool  he,"  and  the  lady  gave  a  grunt  of  extreme 
dissatisfaction. 

Mrs.  Torrens  was  a  tall,  straight  woman, 
with  a  thin,  sharp  face,  pale  complexion,  and 
small  but  piercing  gray  eyes ;  her  hair,  of  a 
dui!  drab,  fell  in  thick  ringlets  on  her  shoulders, 
giving  her  the  appearance  of  an  antiquated  old 
maid.  Her  figure,  however,  was  very  com- 
manding ;  her  dress  rich  and  fashionably  made. 

This  unwelcome  visitor  was  Sir  Henry  Ran- 
dall's only  sister,  and  his  senior  by  five  years. 
She  was  one  of  those  persons  who  like  to  man- 
age everything  and  every  one  in  her  own  par- 
ticular way.  And  so,  from  time  to  time,  she 
was  in  the  habit  of  invading  her  brother's  house, 
and  trying  to  lay  down  the  law  for  him  and  his 


128  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

children.  For  so  far  she  had  met  with  but 
little  success,  and  had  managed  to  make  her- 
self disliked  by  the  whole  household. 

"  Where  is  your  brother,  Theo?"  she  asked, 
sharply.  "  This  is  his  room.  Why  isn't  he 
visible,  I'd  like  to  know?  The  servants  told 
me  he  was  here." 

"Percy  has  gone  to  bed,  aunt,"  said  Theo, 
trying  hard  to  keep  from  laughing.  "You 
see  he  did  not  know  you  were  coming  to-night." 

"Neither  did  I,  Miss  Pert,"  snapped  Mrs. 
Torrens,  opening  her  eyes  in  a  jerky  manner. 
"  But  when  I  heard  what  was  going  on,  I  had 
to  come  to  put  a  stop  to  it  at  once." 

"  Going  on  ?  "  said  Theo,  in  surprise.  "Why 
there  is  nothing  going  on  here,  Aunt  Lydia,  I 
assure  you." 

"  Nothing  going  on,  indeed,"  replied  her 
aunt,  indignantly.  "Then  what  does  my 
brother  mean  by  bringing  in  a  beggar  boy  to 
live  with  his  sou  and  daughter?  Do  you  call 
it  nothing,  that  a  low-born  creature  like  that 
should  pass  his  days  with  you  and  your 
brother  ?  " 

"  But  Hugh  is  not  low-born,  Aunt  Lydia. 
He  is  our  cousin,  and  "  — 

"  Cousin,  indeed,"  sneered  the  lady.     "  You 


A  STOBY  FOR  BOYS.  129 

are  not  going  to  make  me  believe  that  story. 
It  was  easy  for  such  adventurers  to  say,  '  we 
are  your  relations' — for  the  mother  to  say  her 
name  was  Winter.  But  that  my  brother  should 
believe  it  all  is  what  astonishes  and  angers  me. 
As  for  the  boy  " — 

"  How  dare  you  come  here  to  insult  my  aunt 
and  cousin,  Aunt  Lydia?  How  dare  you  find 
fault  with  my  father's  behavior?"  cried  Percy, 
as,  pale  and  trembling  with  rage,  he  stood  be- 
fore Mrs.  Torrens. 

"  Ho,  ho !  So  you  are  not  in  bed  after  all, 
my  most  polite  young  nephew  ?  Hiding  behind 
curtains  and  listening  to  what  is  being  said. 
That  is  what  comes  of  having  low  companions." 

"Leave  my  room,  if  you  please,"  cried 
Percy,  choking  with  passion.  **  I  do  not  want 
you  here  —  I "  — 

But  Hugh's  hand  was  kid  upon  his  mouth, 
and  Hugh's  voice  whispered  in  his  ear : 

"  Hush,  Percy.  Do  not  be  rude,  dear  boy. 
It  is  not  right  to  speak  so  to  a  lady." 

"  Dear,  dear.  So  there  you  are,"  cried  Mrs. 
Torrens,  with  a  sneer.  «« The  clever  adven- 
turer who  has  made  his  way  into  this  most 
trusting  family,  taken  my  Charlie's  place,  and 
robbed  my  boy  of  "— _ 


130  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"  No,  no,  Lydia,"  said  Sir  Henry,  who  en- 
tered the  room  at  this  moment.  "Your  son 
has  been  wronged  by  no  one  but  himself.  He 
proved  himself  idle  and  conceited,  and  so  I  did 
not  care  to  have  him.  He  wished  to  become 
rich,  but  without  any  trouble  or  hard  work. 
As  for  Hugh,  you  are  very  wrong  to  think  him 
an  adventurer.  I  have  had  proof —  ample 
proof —  that  his  mother  is  my  dear  wife's  sister, 
and  he  her  nephew.  He  is  a  good,  truthful 
boy,  and  for  that  reason  I  am  glad  that  Percy 
should  have  such  a  cousin  to  be  his  friend  and 
companion." 

"A  very  fine  speech,  upon  my  word, 
Henry,"  she  cried.  "But  I  am  not  so  con- 
fiding as  you  are,  and  cannot  believe  in  such 
a  wild  story.  Why  you  should  go  out  of 
your  way  to  hunt  for  your  wife's  relations 
when  you  have  plenty  of  your  own,  I  can't 
imagine." 

"I  did  not  go  out  of  my  way,  Lydia  ;  but  I 
am  very  thankful  that  I  found  Hugh  and  his 
dear  mother  before  it  was  too  late.  I  will 
tell  you  the  whole  story,  show  you  the  many 
proofs  I  possess,  and" — 

"Oh,  I  have  heard  the  wonderful  story, 
thank  you,  and  on  very  good  authority  too." 


A   STORY  FOR  BOYS.  131 

"Kapes,"  whispered  Theo  to  Percy,  "she's 
at  the  bottom  of  all  this." 

"Well,  then,  I  must  ask  you  to  say  no  more, 
Lydia,"  said  Sir  Henry,  sternly.  "Mary  Ann 
says  your  room  is  ready,  so  I  must  ask  you  to 
leave  the  children  to  themselves." 

"Oh,  very  well.  I  will  say  no  more  for  the 
present,"  and  picking  up  her  little  snarling  pug, 
she  sailed  out  of  the  room. 

"And  now,  my  friends,  you  had  better  go 
to  bed,"  said  Sir  Henry  to  the  children.  "Be 
patient  for  a  few  days,  and  then  your  aunt 
will  go  away." 

"I'll  take  good  care  she  doesn't  stay  long," 
grumbled  Percy.  "I  will  make  her  as  uncom- 
fortable as  ever  I  can.  See  if  I  don't.  Why 
couldn't  she  have  stayed  at  home?" 

"Come,  now,  Percy  lad,  don't  take  her  visit 
so  much  to  heart,"  said  his  father,  soothingly. 
"  Go  to  bed,  and  forget  that  she  is  here." 

"That's  easier  said  than  done,  papa,"  cried 
Percy.  "But  I'll  do  my  best  to  forget  her, 
never  fear;  and  I  do  hope  she'll  stay  out  of 
my  room." 

"  We  must  try  and  make  her  do  that,  dear," 
replied  Sir  Henry.  "But  I  don't  think  she 


13:2  PEBCY'S  REVENGE: 

will  be  likely  to  trouble  you.  She  will  have 
no  business  down  here." 

••But  she'll  make  some," said  Percy.  " There 
never  was  such  a  person  for  poking  as  my  re- 
spected aunt,  Mrs.  Torrens." 

•  •  AYell .  dear,  you  must  bear  with  her  for  a 
time,"  said  Sir  Henry,  and  kissing  his  children, 
he  bade  them  good-night. 

"But,  indeed,  I  wish  Lydia  had  stayed  at 
home,"  he  said,  as  he  shut  himself  into  his 
room.  "  Percy  and  she  could  never  agree. 
The  poor  fellow  was  getting  so  happy,  and 
now  I'm  afraid  she  will  make  us  all  discon- 
tented whilst  she  remains  amongst  us.  How 
terribly  jealous  she  is  about  Hugh.  Just  as 
if  her  Charlie  could  ever  have  found  the  place 
in  our  hearts  that  that  dear  lad  has  taken. 
Well,  I  do  hope  her  visit  may  be  a  short  one. 
I  cannot  ask  my  own  sister  to  go ;  but  when 
she  does,  I  shall  not  be  sorry." 


CHAPTER  EX. 

AU>~T   LTDIA   SEES   A   GHOST. 

THE  angel  of  peace  seemed  to  have  flown 
away  at  Aunt  Lydia's  approach,  and  all 
Percy's  good  resolutions  had  taken  their  de- 
parture with  him. 

Between  the  boy  and  his  aunt  there  was 
continual  warfare  ;  for  Percy,  hot  and  passion- 
ate as  he  was,  could  not  listen  quietly  to  her 
ill-natured  remarks  about  his  cousin.  The  very 
sight  of  her  going  about  the  house,  the  mere 
sound  of  her  harsh  voice,  seemed  to  rouse  all 
that  was  bad  in  his  sadly  undisciplined  nature. 

To  Theo,  who  was  pretty  and  graceful,  Mrs. 
Torrens  was  kind  and  attentive.  But  to  Percy 
and  the  "  little  adventurer,"  as  she  insisted  on 
calling  Hugh,  her  manner  was  most  insulting. 

Sir  Henry  and  his  sister  were  never  alto- 
gether happy  in  each  other's  company,  for  they 
had  but  few  interests  in  common.  So  seeing 
(133) 


134  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

that  her  visit  was  likely  to  be  a  long  one,  he 
suddenly  found  it  necessary  to  go  off  to  the 
country  on  business.  Percy  was  in  despair  at 
his  father's  departure,  and  felt  certain  that  Mrs. 
Torrens  would  annoy  him  more  than  ever, 
since  there  was  now  no  one  by  to  protect  him 
from  her  wrath. 

But  in  this  he  was  mistaken,  and  to  his  sur- 
prise Hugh  and  he  were  left  to  their  own  de- 
vices. 

Mrs.  Torrens  was  delighted  when  her  brother 
went  away;  and  taking  advantage  of  his 
absence  sent  out  invitations  to  her  friends. 
After  this,  she  seemed  to  forget  the  boys'  ex- 
istence, and  troubled  them  little,  so  long  as 
they  remained  in  their  own  part  of  the  house. 
This,  they  took  care  to  do,  and  so  the  battles 
between  nephew  and  aunt  became  less,  fre- 
quent, as  they  seldom  met. 

Theo,  too,  they  saw  only  at  rare  intervals. 
Her  light  little  head  seemed  completely 
turned ;  and  in  the  midst  of  the  gayeties  that 
were  going  on,  she  scarcely  ever  found  time  to 
visit  Percy's  room. 

At  first,  the  boys  were  much  pleased  at  the 
new  state  of  affairs,  and  between  their  lessons 
and  games  the  days  passed  pleasantly  enough. 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  135 

But  as  time  went  on,  and  his  father  did  not 
return,  Percy  began  to  mope  about  in  a  miser- 
able way.  By  degrees  his  bad  spirits  developed 
into  bad  temper,  and  he  became  so  cross  and 
irritable,  that  Hugh  had  a  hard  time  of  it,  and 
found  it  impossible  to  please  him,  in  anything 
he  did  or  said. 

Then  very  soon  everything  went  wrong,  and 
even  Hugh's  bright  face  became  clouded ;  he 
could  not  make  his  friend  happy,  and  so  he 
grew  depressed  and  wretched  himself. 

At  lesson  time,  Percy  became  wild  and  un- 
manageable, would  learn  nothing,  and  pre- 
vented his  companions  from  doing  their  work, 
by  his  noisy,  restless  interference. 

Their  tutor  was  a  quiet,  amiable  man,  and 
did  all  he  could  to  soothe  the  boy,  but  without 
effect,  and  at  last  stung  by  his  insolent  manner, 
he  flung  down  the  books  and  left  the  house, 
declaring  that  he  wrould  have  no  more  to  do 
with  such  an  unruly  pupil. 

"  Percy,  Percy,  what  have  you  done?"  cried 
Hugh  ;  "  do  please  let  me  call  Mr.  Barker  back 
again.  He  will  soon  forgive  you,  if  you  say 
you  are  sorry." 

"  Nonsense,  Hugh,"  replied  Percy,  angrily. 
"  Call  him  back  again,  indeed ;  no  fear  of  that, 


136  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

old  boy ;  I'm  only  too  glad  to  see  him  disap- 
pear, I  can  tell  you." 

"  But,  Percy,  you  behaved  very  badly  and 
vexed  him  greatly.  He  says  he  will  never 
come  back  to  teach  us.  I  did  not  think  you 
could  have  treated  him  like  that,  for  he  has 
always  been  so  kind  and  "  — 

"  Can't  you  leave  a  fellow  in  peace,  Hugh? 
You're  a  perfect  worry,  and  if  you  go  on 
preaching  at  me,  I'll  shy  this  ink-pot  at  your 
head.  But  don't  you  fret.  Old  Barker  will 
come  back,  never  fear ;  and  I'm  jolly  glad  to 
get  rid  of  his  jawring  for  this  evening." 

"  Jawing,  indeed,"  cried  Hugh,  indignantly. 
"  His  lessons  are  most  interesting." 

"  Yes,  when  a  fellow's  in  the  humor  for 
them.  But  those  evening  lessons  were  all  your 
doing,  and  I  am  sick  of  them.  A  chap  can't 
go  on  working  forever.  And  I  can  tell  you, 
Barker  was  fine  and  cross  to-night.  I  never 
saw  the  like  of  him." 

"  You  do  well  to  talk  about  crossness,"  said 
Hugh,  hotly.  "  You  were  as  insolent  as  ever 
you  could  be ;  and  I  hope  you  will  beg  his 
pardon  if  he  does  come  to-morrow." 

"  Well,  if  you  won't  stop  when  you're  told," 
cried  Percy,  with  crimson  cheeks  and  flashing 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  137 

eye,  "  take  that,"  and  seizing  a  large  cut-glass 
ink-bottle,  he  hurled  it  at  Hugh's  head. 

But,  fortunately,  the  boy  saw  it  coming,  and 
stooping  quickly,  escaped  the  blow  which  would 
have  felled  him  to  the  ground  had  he  not  man- 
aged to  avoid  it. 

Just  behind  Hugh  stood  a  rare  old  cabinet, 
filled  with  curiosities,  that  had  belonged  to 
Percy's  mother,  and  so  ranked  amongst  hid 
most  sacred  treasures.  And  now  this  bottle, 
aimed  by  his  own  hand,  went  crashing  over  his 
cousin's  head,  straight  through  the  thick  glass 
doors  ;  and  to  his  horror  he  saw  the  ink  stream- 
ing over  the  crimson  velvet  shelves,  spoiling 
the  treasures  that  nothing  could  replace. 

"  Oh,  Percy,  Percy,  they  are  all  destroyed," 
cried  Hugh,  forgetting  his  own  danger  in  his 
anxiety  for  the  beautiful  things.  "  Get  the 
sponge  quickly,  and  I'll  try  to  soak  up  the  ink, 
before  it  does  much  harm." 

But  Percy  made  no  reply.  The  hot,  red 
color  of  passion  died  away,  leaving  him  deathly 
pale,  as  he  gazed  at  the  sad  wreck  of  his  be- 
loved cabinet. 

"  Never  mind,  old  man,"  said  Hugh,  gently. 
'•It  is  not  as  bad  as  it  looks.  The  glass  is 
broken ;  but  there  are  lots  of  things  that  we 


138  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

can  wash,  and  they'll  look  all  right  again. 
The  velvet  can  be  replaced  and  the  glass  too ; 
so  don't  fret  about  it  —  there'  a  good  fellow." 

"  Oh,  Hugh,  Hugh,"  whispered  Percy,  "  I'm 
so  bad  —  so  wicked  ;  God  ought  to  strike  nie 
dead.  He  ought  to  "  — 

"  Hush,  Percy;  don't  say  that.  God  is  too 
merciful  to  strike  you  when  you  are  in  a  fit 
of  passion ;  but,  oh,  tell  Him  you  are  sorry — 
beg  Him  to  forgive  you." 

"  But,  Hugh,  Hugh,  if  that  bottle  had  killed 
you,  what  should  I  have  done ;  and  if  it  had 
hit  you  —  oh,  I  dare  not  think  of  it.  That  is 
twice,  Hugh,  twice  in  such  a  short  time,  that  I 
have  been  so  passionate — so  wicked.  Oh, 
what  shall  I  do?  What  shall  I  do?"  cried 
Percy,  shuddering;  and,  bowing  his  head,  he 
wept  bitterly. 

"  Thank  God,  it  did  not  touch  me,  Percy. 
But  do  not  give  way  to  despair.  You  are  pas- 
sionate, and  sometimes  do  dreadful  things ;  but 
you  will  be  able  to  get  over  all  that,  if  you 
just  fight  against  your  temper  like  a  man,  and 
pray  hard  —  hard.  But,  cheer  up  nowT,  old 
man,  and  let  us  see  what  we  can  do  to  make 
these  things  look  nice  again." 

Springing    to  his   feet,  Hugh   hurried  into 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  139 

Percy's  alcove,  and  coming  back  armed  with  a 
sponge  and  some  water,  began  to  soak  up  the 
ink  with  great  care. 

But  Percy  would  not  cheer  up,  as  his  cousin 
advised  him  to  do,  and  sat  upon  the  floor  look- 
ing gloomy  and  miserable.  He  was  so  much 
overcome  with  grief  and  contrition,  that  even 
the  thought  of  saving  his  treasures  had  not  the 
power  to  move  him. 

Meanwhile,  Hugh  worked  steadily  on,  and 
was  rejoicing  to  himself  that  so  many  of  the 
curious  things  were  quite  untouched,  when  the 
crimson  curtain  was  suddenly  raised,  and  Theo, 
radiant  in  all  the  glory  of  a  pale  blue  ball  dress, 
came  bounding  into  the  room. 

"  Xow,  then,  you  two  poor  hermits,"  she 
cried,  gayly,  turning  herself  round  to  be  ad- 
mired. "  What  do  you  think  of  my — ?  But, 
what  can  have  happened?  Hugh  tell  me 
what  —  oh !  what  smashed  poor  mamma's  cabi- 
net?" 

But  Hugh  only  flushed  hotly  at  her  questions, 
not  knowing  what  to  answer;  he  loved  the 
truth,  and  yet  would  gladly  have  screened  poor 
Percy. 

"Oh,  dear  it  is  such  a  pity,"  said  Theo,  with 
tears  hi  her  eyes.  "Poor  mamma's  cabinet, 


140  PERCY'S  REVENGE: 

that  we  all  loved  so  dearly.  I  wonder  you 
are  not  ashamed  of  yourself,  Percy.  For,  of 
course,  you  must  have  done  it  in  one  of  your 
tantrums.  It's  quite  true  what  Aunt  Lydia 
says :  you  are  a  very  ill-tempered,  bad  boy, 
and"— 

This  was  too  much  for  Percy,  so,  jumping 
up,  he  seized  her  roughly  by  the  arm,  dragged 
her  across  the  room,  down  the  passage,  and 
into  the  hall.  Then,  with  a  bang  that  re- 
echoed through  the  house,  he  slammed  the 
door,  locked  it,  and  flinging  the  key  upon 
a  table,  sank  with  a  groan  into  a  corner  of 
the  sofa. 

"You  are  a  cross,  rude  boy,"  cried  Theo, 
through  the  key-hole.  "That's  the  thanks  I 
get  for  dressing  early,  and  coining  to  tell  you 
about  the  ball  to-night.  The  rooms  and  hall 
look  lovely,  and  I  wanted  you  and  Hugh  to 
come  and  see  them.  But  you  are  so  disagree- 
able and  horrid ;  but,  there,  I  shan't  talk  to 
you  any  more."  And  she  ran  lightly  away  to 
the  drawing-room. 

With  great  patience  Hugh  worked  on  at  the 
cabinet,  and,  at  last,  succeeded  in  washing  the 
ink  stains  off  nearly  all  the  valuable  articles 
that  it  contained.  But  when  he  turned  in 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  141 

triumph  to  show  his  handiwork  to  Percy,  he 
would  not  deign  to  look  at  it,  and  did  not 
reward  him  with  a  word  of  thanks. 

The  evening  passed  over  in  silence,  and  at 
last,  feeling  sad  and  dispirited,  Hugh  bade 
good-night  to  his  cousin  and  went  up  stairs  to 
his  own  room. 

Percy  did  not  seem  to  notice  his  departure, 
and  sat  staring  into  the  fire,  the  look  of  gloom 
growing  deeper  and  deeper  as  time  went  on. 

Suddenly,  the  sound  of  a  beautiful  waltz 
comes  floating  through  the  room,  and  Percy 
listens  eagerly,  straining  every  nerve,  so  that 
he  may  catch  each  note  of  the  music. 

Forgetting  all  his  misery,  in  his  delight  in 
the  melodious  sounds,  he  springs  to  his  feet, 
smoothes  his  hair,  pulls  straight  the  lace  collar 
at  his  neck,  and  seizing  the  keys  that  he  had 
thrown  aside  in  anger,  walks  quickly  down  the 
passage  that  leads  to  the  large  front  hall. 

The  music  has  ceased  ere  he  reaches  the 
door ;  but  he  opens  it  a  little,  and  peeps  out 
to  see  what  is  going  on. 

The  hall  is  filled  with  gayly  dressed  people, 
laughing  and  chatting  as  they  walk  up  and 
down.  One  couple,  a  bright-looking  girl  and 
a  tall,  dark  man,  saunter  up  close  to  where 


142  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

Percy  stands   concealed,  and,    unconscious   of 
his  presence,  continue  their  conversation. 

"What  a  pretty  child  Theo  Randall  is," 
remarks  the  young  lady.  And  from  his  hid- 
ing place  Percy  sees  his  sister  flitting  about 
amongst  the  company. 

"Yes  ;  she  is  very  pretty — a  charming  little 
girl,"  answers  the  gentleman,  smiling.  "But 
has  not  Sir  Henry  Randall  a  son  ?  Why  is  he 
not  here  to-night?" 

"Yes;  he  has  a  son,"  and  the  girl  lowers 
her  voice  to  a  whisper.  * '  But  he  is  deformed 
— a  regular  hunchback  I  hear."  Poor  Percy 
shudders ;  the  words  cut  him  like  a  knife. 
"Mrs.  Torrens  says  he  is  a  frightful  creature 
— quite  too  hideous  to  be  produced." 

"That  is  not  true,  and  Mrs.  Torrens  is  most 
unkind.  Look  at  me  and  tell  me  that  it  is  not 
true,"  cries  Percy,  as,  quivering  with  rage,  he 
flings  open  the  door,  and  stands,  with  flashing 
eyes  before  his  astonished  auditors. 
>  The  gentleman  starts  round,  eyes  the  boy 
curiously,  and  murmuring,  "Poor  little  fel- 
low," turns  away  with  a  sigh. 

The  young  girl  draws  back  for  an  instant, 
frightened  at  this  sudden  attack ;  but  one 
glance  at  the  white  face,  the  golden  hair,  and 


A  STOBY  FOR  BOYS.  143 

beautiful  eyes,  tells  her  how  wronged  he  has 
been,  how  unhappy  her  foolish  words  have 
made  him ;  and  stepping  forward  she  gently 
kisses  him  on  the  forehead. 

"  It  is,  indeed,  untrue,  dear  boy,"  she 
whispers.  "But  forgive  my  unkind  speech. 
I  did  not  know  what  I  was  talking  about. 
But  why  are  you  not  at  the  ball?  Why  are 
you  hiding  away  by  yourself  down  here  ?  " 

"  Because  I  am  not  wanted,"  said  Percy, 
bitterly.  "Because  —  because,"  then  feeling 
the  tears  coming  into  his  eyes,  he  shook  him- 
self away  from  her,  and  rushed  down  the  pas- 
sage to  his  room.  The  kind-hearted  girl  would 
have  followed  him,  but  the  door  was  shut  in 
her  face;  so,  feeling  very  sad,  she  took  her 
partner's  arm,  and  returned  with  him  to  the 
dancing  room. 

"Oh,  how  cruel  Aunt  Lydia  is  to  say  such 
things  of  me,"  cried  Percy,  in  a  whirl  of 
passion,  flinging  his  things  here  and  there 
about  the  place.  "  Could  she  not  leave  me 
alone  ?  Why  should  she  talk  of  me  in  such  a 
way  to  strangers  ?  Oh,  if  papa  only  knew,  he 
would  be  so  angry  —  he  would.  Why  should 
she  make  my  deformity  a  subject  of  conver- 
sation ?  But  I'll  be  revenged.  I'll  pay  her  off. 


144  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

She  shall  have  no  peace  of  her  life  till  she 
leaves  this  house  ;  and  that  will  be  very  soon, 
if  I  can  manage  it.  I'll  do  something  to  get 
rid  of  her.  I'll  frighten  her  out  of  her  senses 
—  this  very  night,  too.  I'll  be  revenged ;  I 
must  —  I  will." 

The  clock  on  the  mantle-piece  struck  twelve, 
then  one  ;  and  still  Percy  sat  on,  brooding  over 
his  unhappy  fate  and  cruel  treatment.  ' '  I'll 
do  it  —  I'll  do  it,"  he  cried,  suddenly;  and, 
seizing  a  candle,  lighted  it,  and  crept  stealthily 
on  to  the  back  stairs,  and  passed  silently  up 
through  the  house. 

The  ball  is  over,  the  dancing  at  an  end,  and 
as  the  last  carriage  rolls  away  from  the  door, 
Mrs.  Torrens  seeks  her  chamber  for  the  night. 

The  entertainment  has  been  a  success  ;  and 
many  compliments  have  been  paid  to  the 
hostess  by  the  departing  guests.  But  even 
this  has  failed  to  make  her  happy,  and  a  heavy 
cloud  seems  to  hang  over  her,  as  she  flings  her- 
self into  an  arm-chair  by  the  fire.  Her  thin 
lips  are  set  in  hard  lines,  her  brow  wrinkled 
with  some  angry  thought,  and  her  voice  sounds 
harsh  and  grating,  as  she  orders  her  maid  to 
leave  her  at  once. 

Very  quickly  Mary  Ann  removes    the  rich 


A   STOBT   FOR   BOYS.  145 

ball  dress,  and  places  a  warm  dressing-gown 
round  the  lady's  shoulders.  Then  taking  the 
flashing  jewels  from  her  neck  and  arms,  she 
packs  them  carefully  away  hi  their  cases,  and 
hurries  from  the  room. 

With  a  sigh  of  relief  at  finding  herself  alone 
at  last,  Mrs.  Torrens  draws  forth  a  letter,  and 
the  look  of  anger  deepens  hi  her  eyes,  as  she 
reads  the  short  note  over  and  over  again. 

But  presently  the  letter  drops  from  her 
fingers,  and  she  falls  into  a  restless  sleep. 

Suddenly,  she  awakes  with  a  start,  and  looks 
nervously  round  the  room.  The  fire  has  gone 
out,  the  candles  have  burnt  low,  and  she 
shivers  and  draws  her  dressing-gown  more 
closely  about  her,  as  she  nestles  back  amongst 
the  velvet  cushions. 

A  rustling  noise  in  a  distant  corner  once 
more  disturbs  her,  and  fills  her  with  alarm ; 
then,  again,  all  is  quiet,  and  she  closes  her  eyes 
with  a  sigh. 

"  How  nervous  I  am,"  she  murmurs.  "  It  is 
only  the  wind.  I  feel  strangely  frightened, 
and  yet,  why  should  I?  There  is  nothing  to 
fear." 

But,  even  as  she  speaks,  the  door  of  the 
large  wardrobe  opens  slowly,  and  a  tall,  white 


146  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

figure  glides  across  the  floor  to  where  she  sits 
pale  and  terrified. 

She  starts  quickly  to  her  feet,  but  the  room 
seems  to  whirl  round,  and  the  cold  perspiration 
stands  in  great  drops  upon  her  brow,  as  this 
strange  visitor  comes  silently  towards  her. 

Raising  her  hand,  Mrs.  Torrens  tries  to 
ward  off  the  coming  danger ;  she  strives  to 
speak,  but  her  voice  is  thick  and  muffled,  her 
tongue  dry  and  parched ;  and  still  the  awful 
figure  moves  slowly,  but  surely,  in  her  direc- 
tion. 

Making  a  frantic  effort,  the  frightened  woman 
rushes  towards  the  door ;  but  ere  she  can  reach 
it,  the  mysterious  visitor  glides  before  it,  and 
with  one  uplifted  arm  seems  to  forbid  her  ap- 
proach. 

Then  the  poor  lady's  strength  and  courage 
fail  her,  and  with  a  wild  shriek  she  falls  sense- 
less to  the  ground. 

"  Oh,  she  is  dead  !  She  is  dead  !  I  did  not 
mean  to  kill  her,"  cries  the  ghost ;  and  letting 
the  white  sheet  in  which  he  had  enveloped  him- 
self, drop  from  his  face  and  head,  Percy  Ran- 
dall runs  screaming  from  the  room. 


w 


CHAPTER  X. 

GOOD  RESOLUTIONS. 

'HEX  Hugh  said  good-night  to  Percy,  he 
went  sadly  up  stairs  to  his  own  little 
room.  He  felt  very  unhappy,  and  a  great 
longing  came  over  him  to  run  away  from  his 
troublesome  cousin,  and  return  to  his  darling 
mother. 

He  remembered  with  regret  the  peaceful, 
pleasant  days  he  had  spent  in  their  humble 
lodging,  and  he  felt  inclined  to  go  off,  late 
and  all  as  it  was,  and  throw  himself  into  his 
mother's  loving  arms.  But  then,  he  thought  of 
his  uncle's  kindness,  of  poor  Percy's  affection, 
and  his  own  great  happiness  before  this  cloud 
had  come  down  upon  them ;  and  he  resolved  to 
be  brave,  bear  his  trials  as  patiently  as  possible, 
and  do  all  he  could  to  help  his  cousin  to  re- 
cover his  good  spirits. 

Then,  kneeling  by  his  bedside,  he  prayed 
(1*0 


148  PERCY'S  REVENGE  :  . 

long  and  fervently.  He  implored  God  to  make 
him  good  and  patient,  and  asked  him  to  help 
Percy  to  conquer  his  dreadful  passion,  which 
was  the  cause  of  so  much  misery  to  them  all. 

After  this  he  went  to  bed ;  but,  alas,  not  to 
sleep.  The  whole  house  was  filled  with  gay 
music  from  the  ball-room,  and  the  poor  boy  lay 
tossing  about  from  side  to  side,  wishing  he 
could  shut  out  the  happy  sounds  which  were 
so  little  in  accordance  with  his  own  miserable 
thoughts. 

All  things  have  an  end,  however,  even  balls  ; 
and,  to  Hugh's  delight,  the  last  waltz  was 
played,  the  last  good-night  was  spoken ;  and, 
with  a  sigh  of  relief,  he  turned  once  more  upon 
his  pillow,  and  fell  asleep. 

But  his  rest  was  light  and  broken.  Strange 
dreams  haunted  and  troubled  him,  filling  him 
with  terror,  and  causing  him  to  start  up  and 
gaze  wildly  into  the  dark  corners  of  his  room. 

In  all  these  dreams  he  found  himself  with 
Percy,  exposed  to  some  terrible  danger,  from 
which  he  struggled  with  all  his  strength  to 
rescue  his  cousin,  who  clung  to  him,  implor- 
ing him  to  help  him — to  —  to  save  him. 

"Yes,  Percy,  I  will  —  I  will,"  he  cried,  start- 
ing up  and  looking  around  him  in  alarm. 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  149 

"Help  me,  Hugh;  pray  help  me  and  tell 
me  what  I  shall  do,"  whispered  a  voice  in  his 
ear,  and  there  stood  Percy,  with  a  white, 
scared  look  upon  his  face. 

"Yes — but — why?  What  is  the  matter?" 
asked  Hugh,  now  thoroughly  awake.  "Why 
do  you  look  so  strange  and  frightened,  Percy  ?" 

"Oh,  Hugh,  I  have  killed  her,"  said  his 
cousin,  in  a  hoarse,  choking  voice.  "She  is 
dead — dropped  in  an  instant  at  my  feet.  I 
am  a  murderer — I  hated  her — and  I  wanted 
to  frighten  her;  but — but — I  never  meant  to 
kill  her." 

"Never  meant  to  kill  who,  Percy?  Are 
you  dreaming,  dear,  that  you  talk  so  wildly?" 
cried  Hugh,  seizing  his  cousin's  hands,  which 
were  as  cold  as  ice. 

"I   am   not   dreaming — I  am  wide  awake. 
And,  oh,  Hugh,  she  is  dead." 
.     "Who  is  dead?     What  am  I  to  do ?    Speak, 
and  tell  me.     Who  is  it  that  is  dead?" 

"Aunt  Lydia — Aunt  Lydia,"  gasped  Percy. 
"  Be  quick,  and  go  to  her  room,  and  see.  I 
wanted  to  make  her  nervous,  and  —  and  I 
dressed  up  as  a  ghost ;  and  then  when  she 
saw  me  she  fell — dead — and" — 

But  Hugh  was  gone  ;  and  soon  Percy  heard 


150  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

him  calling  and  shouting  to  Mary  Ann,  to  get 
up  and  come  to  her  mistress  at  once. 

Doors  opened  and  shut  violently ;  lights 
appeared  here  and  there  through  the  house ; 
voices  were  heard  whispering  at  every  corner, 
as  the  terrified  servants  came  hurrying  from 
their  chambers. 

Down  on  the  floor  in  Hugh's  room  crouched 
Percy,  his  thin  hands  clasped  tightly  together 
in  a  perfect  agony  of  despair. 

But  suddenly  a  sound  fell  upon  his  ear  that 
caused  his  heart  to  beat  wildly,  and  drove  *the 
unhappy  look  from  his  face.  A  sound  that  had 
once  been  the  most  hated  he  could  hear,  but 
which  seemed  to  him  now  as  sweet  music,  for 
it  brought  back  hope  to  his  mind,  and  drove 
away  the  maddening  horror  that  had  taken 
possession  of  his  soul. 

It  was  the  sharp  voice  of  his  aunt  that  came 
ringing  across  the  corridor,  and  filled  him  with 
joy,  for  it  told  him  that  she  was  alive,  and  that 
he  was  no  murderer. 

"Poor  Percy,  poor  Percy,"  said  Hugh,  steal- 
ing back  into  his  room,  and  putting  his  arm 
around  his  unhappy  cousin.  "Mrs.  Torrens 
had  only  fainted,  and  she  is  quite  well  now  ; 
but  how  could  you  play  such  a  cruel  trick  ?  " 


A   8TOKY   FOE   BOYS.  151 

"I  know  it  was  wrong  and  wicked,"  sobbed 
Percy ;  "  but  I  wanted  to  be  revenged,  and" — 

"Hash,  hush,"  cried  Hugh;  "you  should 
never  try  to  be  revenged  on  any  one.  We 
must  leave  that  to  God,  Percy,  and  bear  our 
troubles  manfully ;  but  come  down  now,  and 
go  to  bed.  You  are  trembling  with  cold,  and 
I  am  afraid  you  will  be  ill  to-morrow.  And 
now  you  must  really  try  and  forgive  Aunt 
Lydia,  more  than  ever  after  to-night.  She  is 
very  angry  with  you ;  but  you  must  try  and 
be  patient,  no  matter  what  she  says,  for  yon 
have  acted  shamefully  towards  her.  You  ex- 
pect God  to  love  you,  and  forgive  you  your 
sins,  and  yet  you  cannot  forgive  her,  for  say- 
ing harsh  things  to  you." 

*«  And  cruel  things  of  me.  Oh,  if  you  had 
heard  what  I  did  to-night,  you  would  know 
why  I  hate  and  detest  her."  And  he  told 
Hugh  the  conversation  he  had  overheard  be- 
tween the  young  lady  and  her  partner. 

"  Well,  it  was  very  hard  to  bear,  Percy,  I 
confess ;  but  remember,  listeners  never  hear 
good  of  themselves,"  said  Hugh,  "and  now, 
you  have  put  yourself  in  the  wrong,  by  be- 
having so  wickedly  to  Mrs.  Torrens.  If  you 
are  not  prepared  to  be  quiet  and  gentle  with 


152  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

her  when  you  meet,  I  do  not  know  what  may 
happen." 

'  I  know  I  have  been  wicked,"  said  Percy, 
tearfully,  "  and  I  will  try  to  forgive  her ;  but, 
oh,  it  is  hard  —  very  hard." 

The  poor  boy  was  completely  worn  out  with 
cold  and  excitement,  so  Hugh  hurried  him  off 
down  stairs.  He  tucked  him  snugly  up  in  bed, 
bade  him  a  kind  good-night,  and  returned  to 
his  own  room,  where,  tired  and  exhausted,  he 
soon  slept  the  deep,  refreshing  sleep  of  child- 
hood. 

Next  morning  both  the  boys  looked  pale  and 
weary,  after  the  miserable  experiences  of  the 
night  before. 

Percy  was  sad  and  downcast,  yet  strangely 
agitated  and  uneasy.  Every  time  the  door 
opened,  he  trembled  lest  his  aunt  should  appear 
before  him  to  upbraid  him  for  his  wicked  con- 
duct. He  felt  he  had  merited  her  wrath ;  but 
he  dreaded  the  coming  storm,  and  shuddered 
as  he  thought  of  the  bitter  things  she  would 
probably  say  to  him. 

Hugh  noticed  the  anxious  glances,  the  quick, 
nervous  manner,  and  guessing  what  was  wrong, 
resolved  to  save  the  poor  boy  for  at  least  a  few 
hours  longer. 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  153 

"  I  tell  you  what,  Percy,"  he  said,  trying  to 
speak  cheerfully,  "  it  seems  to  me  that  we  are 
both  very  miserable ;  so  what  do  you  say  to 
our  taking  the  pony  carriage  and  going  off 
somewhere  ?  Mr.  Barker  does  not  seem  to  be 
coming  to-day." 

«« No ;  I  suppose  he  is  too  much  offended  to 
come  after  last  night,"  said  Percy,  dolefully. 

"  Well,  then,  let  us  take  advantage  of  our 
holiday  and  go  somewhere." 

"  Yery  well,  if  you  care  to  ;  but" — 

"  Oh,  never  mind  buts,  old  man,"  cried 
Hugh,  briskly.  "  See,  there  is  a  lovely  frost. 
The  ponies  were  roughed  yesterday  I  know,  so 
we'll  go  off  somewhere  for  a  drive.  It  will  be 
very  jolly  and  pleasant.  Cheer  up,  my  boy, 
and  come  along." 

"Well,  let  us  go  to  see  Aunt  Lucy  and 
Susie.  I  have  not  seen  them  for  such  a  long 
time ;  it  is  a  capital  drive  to  Richmond." 

"  By  all  means,  let  us  visit  Mrs.  Brown  in 
her  new  house,"  said  Hugh,  gayly.  "I'm 
rather  anxious  to  see  how  the  furnishing  is 
getting  on." 

"  So  am  I,"  cried  Percy,  brightening.  "  I 
will  ring  and  order  the  carriage  at  once." 

It  was  just  eleven  o'clock,  as  the  two  boys 


154  PERCY'S  REVENGE: 

got  into  the  pretty  phaeton  that  Percy's  kind 
father  had  provided  for  his  little  son's  special 
use.  Aunt  Lydia  had  not  yet  appeared,  and 
they  drove  off,  feeling  thankful  at  having 
escaped  so  well,  and  very  joyful  at  leaving  her 
and  her  hard  words  behind,  even  though  it 
were  only  for  a  short  time. 

The  day  was  cold  and  frosty,  but  the  sun 
shone  out  bravely  for  December,  and,  as  they 
were  warmly  rolled  up  in  fur  rugs,  the  sharp 
air  touching  their  pale  cheeks  only  made  them 
glow  and  tingle,  bringing  brightness  to  their 
eyes  and  smiles  to  their  lips. 

Hugh  was  soon  in  high  spirits,  and  the 
misery  of  the  night  faded  quickly  from  his 
memory.  He  chatted  away  so  merrily  that 
even  Percy  grew  more  cheerful  as  he  listened 
to  his  stories.  And,  at  last,  the  fresh  air  and 
pleasant  society  did  their  work,  and  he  became 
as  lively  as  his  cousin,  joining  heartily  in  his 
fun  and  laughter. 

When  the  phaeton  stopped  at  "  Ivy  Cot- 
,tage,"  Mrs.  Brown  was  sitting  at  the  dining- 
room  window  sewing.  She  looked  up  at  the 
sound  of  wheels  upon  the  gravel,  and,  uttering 
a  cry  of  joy,  ran  out  to  the  door,  and  clasped 
her  son  in  her  arms. 


A  STORY  FOR  BOYS.  155 

"  Here's  an  unexpected  treat  for  you, 
mother,"  cried  Hugh.  "  Percy  and  I  were 
tired  of  town,  so  we  thought  we  would  just 
pop  down  and  see  how  you  are  getting  on." 

44  Yon  are  dear,  good  boys  to  think  of  me, 
and  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you  both,"  said  Mrs. 
Brown,  and  she  turned  to  kiss  her  little 
nephew.  "I  hope  you  are  well,  Percy;  but 
why  did  Theo  not  come  with  you?  " 

"  Oh,  Theo  was  in  bed  when  we  came  out,  I 
believe,"  said  Hugh,  laughing.  "  The  young 
lady  was  at  a  ball  last  night." 

"  A  ball?  "  said  his  mother.  <<  She  is  rather 
young  for  balls,  surely !  " 

*'  It  was  at  home,"  said  Percy,  frowning. 
««  Papa  was  away,  and  my  aunt,  Mrs.  Ton-ens, 
gave  a  ball." 

••  Indeed,  I  was  not  aware  that  she  was  at 
Holland  Park  still,"  said  Mrs.  Brown,  gravely. 
"  But,  Hugh,  dear,  Susie  will  be  sorry  not  to 
see  you." 

"  Not  see  us,  mother?  Why  shouldn't  she, 
the  darling?  Where  is  she?" 

"  She  has  gone  into  the  park  to  see  the  skat- 
ing. Some  little  friends,  with  their  nurse, 
called  for  her,  and  I  don't  expect  her  back  for 
a  long  time." 


156  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"  But  we  are  going  to  spend  the  whole  day 
with  you,  mother ;  that  is,  if  you  don't  mind. 
We  have  a  holiday,  and  thought  we  should  like 
to  give  you  the  pleasure  of  our  company." 

"  My  dear  Hugh,  I  am  delighted.  I  have 
many  little  things  to  show  you  ;  and  then  Susie 
will  see  you,  poor  pet." 

"  All  right,  mother  mine.  We'll  start  off  to 
the  park  and  bring  her  home.  But  first  give 
us  some  bread  and  cheese,  for  we  are  as  hungry 
as  hawks.  Eh,  Percy?" 

"  More  hungry  than  I  could  ever  tell  you," 
answered  Percy,  laughing.  "  I  think  I  could 
eat  paving  stones." 

"  Oh,  mother  won't  ask  you  to  do  that,"  said 
Hugh,  brightly,  as  the  servant  entered,  bearing 
the  luncheon  tray.  "Why,  I  declare,  things 
go  like  clock-work  in  your  little  home,"  he 
cried,  laughing.  "  I  suggest  bread  and  cheese, 
imd,  presto,  it  is  here." 

"  Well,  you  see,  Mary  was  bringing  it  in  for 
me,"  replied  his  mother,  with  a  smile,  "  and 
seeing  visitors,  she  added  a  few  things." 

"  Mary  is  a  wise  girl,"  said  Hugh.  "  Come, 
Percy  lad,  come  and.  refresh  yourself.  Here  is 
some  excellent  bread,  and  some  delicious  milk, 
just  to  keep  you  going  till  dinner-time." 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  157 

"  What  time  would  you  like  dinner,  Hugh?  " 
asked  his  mother. 

"  About  four,  I  think  ;  for  we  must  get  back 
at  a  reasonable  hour  this  evening." 

"  Very  well,  then.  I  must  go  and  order  a 
few  good  things  for  you.  I  "  — 

"  Muver,  muver,  open  de  door.  Quit  — 
quit.  Tommy  White  says  Hoo's  here.  Let  me 
in  quit,  quit,"  cried  a  sweet,  childish  voice  ;  and 
as  the  door  was  thrown  open,  little  Susie  came 
bounding  into  the  room. 

Flinging  her  arms  round  her  brother's  neck, 
she  kissed  and  hugged  him,  till  at  length, 
laughing  and  breathless,  the  boy  cried  for 
mercy.  Then  she  darted  across  to  Percy, 
whom  she  knew  very  little,  but  loved  dearly, 
because  he  was  her  darling  Hugh's  best 
friend. 

"Cousin  Percy,  I  love  you  —  I  love  you," 
she  cried,  her  face  radiant  with  smiles.  "  You 
brought  my  own  Hoo  to  see  us,  and,  indeed, 
indeed,  you  is  a  wegy  dood  boy.  Muver  says 
we  ought  to  love  you,  and  I  do  — indeed  I  do." 

"You  sweet  little  thing,"  exclaimed  Percy, 
taking  her  up  on  his  knee,  and  covering  her 
with  kisses.  "  What  a  lucky  chap  you  are  to 
have  such  a  dear,  good-hearted  sister." 


158  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"Yes,  indeed,"  said  Hugh,  laughing. 
"  She's  not  a  bad  mite,  and  she  loves  her 
brother  dearly.  Eh,  old  lady?  But  some 
folks  would  think  Theo  Randall  more  of  a 
sister  to  be  proud  of  than  poor  wee  Susie 
Brown,"  and  he  tossed  the  small  child  high  in 
the  air. 

"  Oh,  Theo  is  well  enough  to  look  at,"  said 
Percy.  ' '  I  believe  most  people  think  her  very 
pretty  and  all  that  kind  of  thing.  But  she 
doesn't  care  for  any  one  —  at  least  she  doesn't 
love  me  as  "  — 

"  Now,  Percy,  that's  not  true,"  cried  Hugh. 
"  Theo  loves  you  dearly,  you  know  right  well ; 
but  you  "  — 

"  Of   course  it's 
me,"  cried  Percy,  witbBister    by    the    hancl 
you,  Theo  is  cross  aiL-Hine,  his 
get  the  way  she  spoke 
she  cares  no  more  for  me  thmior— for  "  — 

"  Now,  Percy,  that  is  not  true,"  said  Hugh, 
quickly.  "  You  were  very  rude  to  her  yester- 
day evening,  when  she  came  in  so  kindly  to 
tell  us  about  the  ball.  Theo  is  loving  and 
good,  and  I  think  you  should  really  be 
ashamed  to  speak  in  such  a  way  about  your 
sister.  I'm  very  glad  my  mother  has  left  the 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  159 

room.  I  should  not  like  her  to  hear  you  say 
such  things." 

"  What  a  lot  of  rubbish  you  can  talk,  to  be 
sure.  Perhaps  if  you  knew  Theo  as  well  as  I 
do,  you  "  — 

"  And  so  I  do.  Just  as  well  as  you  do,  and 
much  better,"  cried  Hugh,  warmly.  "  She  is 
kind  and  loving,  sweet-tempered  and  gentle. 
You  give  way  to  your  passionate  fits,  and  then 
you  sulk  over  them  till  you  think  every  one 
as  cross  as  you  are  yourself." 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Percy,  bitterly.  "  You 
are  very  kind.  I  am  very  fortunate  " — 

"  No,  I  am  not  kind  at  all.  But  I  think  you 
ought  to  be  just.  You  ought  to  remember  " — 

"HeliacKall.  I  don't  want  to  be  preached 
isvho  are  always  so  ge  '  a  list  of  Theo's  virtues 
either.1-  no.  I  am  »^gnt  to  come  and  torment 
me  last  night,  wneu  I  was  in  a  rage,  so  you 
need  not  preach." 

"  I'm  not  going  to  preach,  Percy,  but  I  must 
say  I "  — 

"  Hugh,  Hugh,  come  and  see  the  skating," 
cried  Susie,  pulling  him  by  the  jacket.  "It  is 
lovely  out  in  the  park.  And  I  am  sure  you 
and  Percy  would  like  it  so  much.  Do  come 
like  good  boys." 


160  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"What  do  you  say,  Percy?"  asked  Hugh. 
"  Shall  we  go  with  the  little  one  or  not?  It 
would  do  you  good  to  go  on  the  ice  and  see 
the  fun.  I  brought  a  couple  of  pairs  of  skates, 
and  I  could  teach  you." 

"Thank  you,"  answered  Percy,  coldly.  "I 
have  no  wish  to  learn.  A  fine  sight  it  would 
be  for  you  and  your  friends  to  see  the  poor 
hunchback  "  — 

"Percy,  Percy,  what  do  you  mean?"  cried 
Hugh,  in  a  tone  of  horror.  "  Don't  talk  like 
that  —  please  don't." 

"  Can't  you  go  out  of  that,  Hugh,  and  leave 
me  alone,"  shouted  Percy.  "I'm  tired  and 
cold,  and  you  only  worry  and  torment  me." 
And  he  turned  his  back  on  his  couah. 

Hugh  took  his  little  ^ster  by  the  hand. 
and  went  out  into  the  sunshine,  his  face  ^flushed 
and  burning,  his  heart  very  sad.  He  longed 
to  make  Percy  go  with  him  into  the  park,  but 
he  was  afraid  to  say  any  more,  lest  he  should 
make  matters  worse  between  them. 

Mrs.  Brown  had  gone  to  the  kitchen  to  give 
orders  about  the  dinner,  and  was  in  close  con- 
fabulation with  the  cook,  when  she  heard  the 
hall-door  shut  with  a  bang.  Taking  it  for 
granted  that  the  children  had  all  gone  oif 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  161 

to  see  the  skating,  she  went  up  to  her  own 
room,  where  she  found  many  things  to  occupy 
her  during  their  absence. 

But  as  the  dinner-hour  drew  near,  she  went 
down  to  the  dining-room  to  see  to  the  arrange- 
ment of  her  table.  There,  to  her  surprise,  she 
found  Percy  alone,  sobbing  and  crying  on  the 
sofa. 

"  Why,  my  dear  Percy,  what  is  the  matter?" 
she  asked.  "I  thought  you  had  gone  out 
hours  ago  to  see  the  skating.  It  was  very 
wrong  of  Hugh  to  leave  you.  He  "  — 

"Do  not  blame  Hugh,  Aunt  Lucy,"  said 
Percy,  in  a  sorrowful  voice.  "  He  wanted  me 
to  go  —  but  I  wouldn't,  and  "  — 

"  He  had  no  right  to  leave  you  alone.  You, 
who  are  always  so  good  —  so  "  — 

"  Oh,  no,  I  am  not  good  at  all,"  cried  the 
boy.  "I  made  Hugh  angry  —  because — be- 
cause—  it  was  all  my  fault  —  all  my  wicked 
temper." 

"  But,  my  dear  boy,  why  should  you 
make  yourself  so  unhappy?"  said  his  aunt, 
sitting  down  on  the  couch,  and  drawing  him 
gently  towards  her.  "  You,  who  have  every- 
thing you  could  wish  for.  You,  to  whom 
God  has  been  so  good —  so  "  — 


162  PERCY'S  REVENGE: 

"Why  do  you  say  that,  Aunt  Lucy?  Why 
do  you  say  that?"  cried  Percy,  springing  to 
his  feet.  "How  can  you  look  at  me  and  tell 
me  that  God  has  been  good  to  me?  How  can 
you  think  of  my  misery — my  longing  for  love, 
that  only  my  darling  mother  could  give  to  me  ? 
For,  oh,  I  am  unhappy  and  miserable — un- 
happy and  miserable ; "  and  flinging  himself 
once  more  upon  the  sofa,  he  sobbed  aloud. 

"  Poor  little  Percy,"  said  Mrs.  Brown,  softly, 
and  putting  her  arm  around  him  she  kissed  him 
lovingly.  "It  is  indeed  hard  to  have  lost  your 
dear  mother;  and  God  has  given  you  many 
troubles  to  bear,  I  know,  which  would  have 
seemed  as  nothing  had  she  been  spared  to 
you.  But  just  think  for  a  moment  of  all  the 
blessings  he  has  given  }rou.  Think  of  your 
good,  kind  father — how  he  loves  you — how 
he  supplies  your  every  wish.  Think  of  your 
loving,  gentle  sister  —  your  happy  home  — 
your" — 

"But  it  isn't  happy,"  cried  Percy,  quickly. 
"It  is  wretched  and  miserable — and,  oh,  dear, 
I  wish  I  was  dead — I  wish  I  was  dead." 

"  Come,  Percy,  you  must  not  say  that,  dear," 
said  his  aunt,  gently.  "You  must  surely  feel 
that  you  are  not  fit  to  die  just  now.  And  only 


A    STORY   FOB   BOYS.  163 

think  how  terrible  it  would  be,  if  God  were  to 
take  you  at  your  word,  and  hurry  you  off  in 
your  sins.  "Would  it  not  be  dreadful  to  be  cut 
off — separated  from  your  dear  mother  forever?  " 

"Yes,  yes;  I  know  it  would  be  terrible. 
But  you  see  I  can't  be  good.  I  only  grow 
worse  and  worse  every  day.  It  is  so  wretched 
at  home  —  so" — 

"Why,  Hugh  told  me  you  were  as  happy 
as  possible  together.  He  said  you  were  all 
so  good  and  kind,  and  that  everything  was  so 
pleasant." 

"Yes;  so  it  was  until  Aunt  Lydia  came 
and  papa  went  away  to  the  country.  She  has 
made  me  cross  and  wicked,  just  when  I  was 
getting  good.  Xow  I  have  made  Hugh  angry, 
and  he  will  hate  me  too.  I  don't  know  what 
I  shall  do.  I  can't  grow  good ;  there's  no  use 
trying  any  more — so  I  just  wish  I  was  dead."7 

"Our  lives  are  in  God's  hands,  dear  lad," 
said  his  aunt,  gravely.  "And  it  is  wrong  to 
wish  for  death  unless  in  His  good  time.  But 
now  try  and  cheer  up,  and  do  not  brood  so 
much  over  your  troubles.  Hugh  will  not  be 
long  angry  with  you,  I  am  sure.  My  boy 
would  not  hate  any  one  for  the  whole  world. 
He  is  too  anxious  to  please  God  to  bear  malice 


164  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

even  to  his  enemy ;  and  he  loves  you  dearly 
I  know.  And  as  for  Mrs.  Torrens,  I  cannot 
really  see  how  she  can  make  you  so  unhappy. 
She  is  a  great  lady  and  fond  of  compan}r,  I 
hear.  But"— 

"That  is  because  you  don't  know  her,  Aunt 
Lucy,"  answered  Percy.  "She  torments  me 
more  than  any  one  I  ever  knew."  And  then 
he  told  her  all  that  happened  within  the  last 
few  weeks. 

The  kind  lady's  heart  was  touched  by  his 
story ;  for,  in  spite  of  his  many  faults,  that 
were  only  too  apparent,  she  saw  much  that 
was  good  in  her  poor  little  nephew.  And  in 
his  rich  home,  surrounded  by  all  that  wealth 
could  give  him,  he  was  unhappy  she  saw, 
simply  because  he  would  not  bear  patiently 
the  small  trials  sent  to  him  by  God. 

Mrs.  Brown  was  deeply  grieved  at  this,  and 
prayed  in  her  heart  that  Hugh  might  be  able 
to  understand  this  strange  boy,  and  help  him 
to  conquer  his  violent  temper. 

"Well,  my  dear  Percy,"  she  said,  after  a 
moment's  reflection,  "I  see  that  God  has  sent 
you  many  troubles.  But  what  of  that?  If  you 
bear  them  patiently,  think  how  great  will  be 
your  reward.  The  first  thing  you  must  do, 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  165 

then,  is  to  pray  fervently  to  God.     You  must 
ask  him  to  help  you  to  be  gentle  and  kind." 

"But  I  did — I  did.  And  after  Hugh  came 
I  got  on  so  well.  Then  when  Aunt  Lydia 
appeared  I  grew  worse  and  " — 

"  And  then  you  stopped  praying  and  grew 
cross  and  sulky,  because  something  happened 
to  make  your  life  a  little  less  agreeable." 

"  But  she  made  my  life  horrible,  and  I 
couldn't  pray  any  more.  It  seemed  quite  use- 
less." 

"  My  dear  boy,  that  is  not  the  right  way  to 
talk  of  prayer,"  said  his  aunt.  "  The  more  you 
are  tempted  and  tried,  the  more  you  must 
pray.  And,  now,  I  hope  you  will  turn  over  a 
new  leaf,  and  do  your  best  to  be  polite  and 
nice  to  your  Aunt  Lydia.  As  far  as  I  can  see, 
from  what  you  tell  me,  you  have  been  very 
rude  to  her.  Then  your  conduct  last  night 
was  extremely  wicked  and  cowardly.  So  now, 
to  show  your  sorrow  for  such  behavior,  you 
must  bear  patiently  whatever  she  may  do  or 
say." 

"  I  will  try,"  sobbed  Percy,  "  I  will  try." 
"  And  then,  consider,  dear  boy,  that  although 
your  troubles  seem  great  to  you,  they  are  as 
nothing  compared  with  those  suffered  by  Jesus 


166  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

Christ  whilst  he  was  on  earth.  Think  of  the 
patience  with  which  he  carried  his  cross,  and 
yours  will  seem  light  indeed.  He  went  all 
along  the  road  to  Calvary,  bearing  a  heavy 
cross  upon  his  shoulders,  without  a  murmur  or 
complaint.  Upon  your  shoulders  he  places 
another  cross,  which  he  tells  you  to  carry  for 
his  sake.  Will  you  refuse  to  do  so,  or  carry 
it,  grumbling  and  complaining  as  }-ou  go  ?  " 

"  Oh,  I  will  try  to  carry  it  bravely  !  I  will, 
indeed,"  said  Percy.  "But  you  can't  think 
how  hard  it  is." 

"Yes,  yes;  I  know  it  is  very  hard,  dear 
child ;  but,  then,  where  would  be  the  merit  if 
it  were  easy?"  and  Mrs.  Brown  laid  her  hand 
gently  on  the  golden  head.  "I  know  it  is  hard, 
Percy,  and  I  feel  for  you  deeply  ;  but  there  is 
one  thing  that  will  help  you  greatly,  dear, 
and  that  is  cheerfulness.  When  you  do  wrong, 
do  not  fret  and  chafe  about  it,  or  try  to  put 
the  blame  on  any  one  else.  Turn  to  God,  tell 
him  you  are  sorry,  and  then  be  as  bright  as 
possible ;  for  in  giving  way  to  gloom  and  de- 
spair, you  may  offend  your  heavenly  Father 
still  more." 

"But  that  is  just  what  I  can't  do.  I  can't  be 
cheerful,"  cried  Percy.  "  When  I  do  wrong, 


A    STORY   FOR    BOYS.  167 

I  feel  sorry — at  least,  angry  at  myself  for  hav- 
ing done  it.  Then  I  get  sulky  and  ill-tem- 
pered; so  that  I  go  on  getting  worse  and 
worse ;  and  then  I'm  wretched  and  miserable." 

"  Of  course,  you  are,  dear  child ;  but  if 
you  will  just  bear  each  little  trouble,  as  it 
comes,  for  God,  you  will  soon  find  how  much 
lighter  it  will  grow.  Try  to  be  bright,  good- 
tempered,  and  patient,  and  all  will  be  well. 
Be  respectful  to  your  Aunt  Lydia  when  you 
see  her,  and  I  am  sure  she  will  be  kind  to  you." 

"I  will  do  the  best  I  can,"  said  Percy,  "and 
I  will  try  hard  to  pray.  Will  you  let  me  come 
to  see  you  often,  Aunt  Lucy,  and  let  me  talk 
to  you  about  myself?  " 

"  Certainly,  dear.  Come  as  often  as  you 
can," said  his  aunt  kindly.  "You  are  my  dar- 
ling sister's  child,  and  it  will  be  a  great  happi- 
ness for  me  if  I  can  help  you  a  little.  But, 
indeed,  Percy  dear,  if  you  knew  the  troubles 
some  people  have  to  bear,  you  would  not  think 
much  of  your  own." 

"  I  wouldn't  mind  anything  half  so  much, 
aunt,"  said  Percy,  flushing  painfully,  "if — if 
my  back  was  straight  like  other  boys;  but 
people  hate  hunchbacks  —  and — and  that  will 
always  keep  me  unhappy." 


168  PEECY'S  REVENGE  : 

"My  dear,  dear  lad,"  cried  Mrs.  Brown, 
greatly  distressed  at  this  speech,  "  that  is  a 
cruel  thought  and  a  false  one,  I  am  sure.  Why 
should  any  one  hate  you  because  of  that?  You 
are  as  God  made  you,  and  he  has  good  reasons 
for  all  he  does.  Whoever  told  you  that  was 
cruelly  wicked  and  wrong.  Be  good  and  gentle 
and  every  one  will  love  you,  every  one  will 
respect  you,  no  matter  how  you  are  made." 

"  Ah,  yes,  if  I  were  good,"  said  Percy, 
sadly;  "but  it  seems  to  me,  aunt,  that  ever 
since  my  mother's  death  I  have  been  under  a 
cloud,  which  year  after  year  grows  heavier 
and  heavier,  making  life  harder  to  bear  every 
day  that  I  live." 

"  That  is,  very  likely,  quite  true,  dear  boy. 
But  I  am  afraid  it  is  because  you  have  not 
taken  the  right  way  to  free  yourself  from  that 
cloud.  You  have  always  wanted  to  have  your 
own  way  in  everything,  and  have  not  tried  to 
bear  your  troubles  with  patience." 

"  I  find  it  so  hard  to  be  patient,"  said  Percy, 
sighing.  "  But  I  will  begin  to  try  very  hard 
from  to-day." 

"  That  is  right,"  she  answered,  with  a  kiss. 
"  Where  there  is  a  will  there's  a  way.  But 
don't  expect  to  grow  patient  all  at  once,  dear 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  169 

boy.  That  would  be  impossible.  It  takes 
us  many  years  to  conquer  one  small  fault, 
thoroughly.  But  if  we  straggle  hard,  and 
pray  fervently,  God  will  help  us,  and  then  all 
will  go  right.  But  run  upstairs  and  make 
yourself  fresh  and  tidy.  Here  comes  Mary  to 
lay  the  cloth ;  and,  I  declare,  Hugh  and  Susie 
are  coming  in  at  the  gate." 

As  they  all  sat  round  the  table  at  dinner, 
little  Susie  was  very  lively,  and  chattered  away 
at  a  wonderful  rate. 

The  ice  had  been  so  thick  and  strong ;  the 
ladies  so  bright  and  beautiful ;  everything  in 
the  Park  enchanting.  Then,  Hugh  whirled  her 
along  so  fast;  they  had  seen  so  many  "jolly 
falls " ;  and  Susie's  sweet  laugh  rang  out  mer- 
rily through  the  room,  as  she  told  them  of  all 
these  delightful  things. 

She  looked  at  Hugh,  and  he  laughed  gayly 
at  her  stories.  She  looked  at  Percy  and  her 
mother,  but  they  seemed  so  serious  that  the 
child  wondered  greatly. 

"  Oh,  why,"  she  thought,  "  are  they  so  sad 
when  everything  is  so  gay  and  pleasant?" 
Then,  remembering  some  funny  incident  that 
had  occurred  upon  the  ice,  Susie  burst  into  a 
fresh  peal  of  laughter. 


170  PERCY'S  EEVENGE : 

Such  childish  gayety  is  very  contagious,  and, 
at  last,  even  Percy  joined  in  the  fun.  Greatly 
amused  by  one  of  the  little  girl's  quaint 
speeches,  he  smiled  upon  her,  and  began  to 
talk.  And  so,  for  the  piesent,  the  clouds  were 
cleared  away. 

And  when  dinner  was  over,  Percy  slipped 
his  hand  into  Hugh's,  and  asked  him  to  forgive 
him  for  his  cross,  ill-natured  words. 

"  Of  course  1  do,  old  chap,"  was  Hugh's 
reply.  "  I  am  really  sorry  that  I  went  to  the 
Park  without  you ;  for  it  was  jolly  there." 

' '  I  don't  mind  about  that ;  but  I  am  going 
to  be  so  good,  Hugh.  And  mind,  you  must 
help  me." 

"  To  be  sure  I  will.  Come  now  and  have  a 
game  of  blind-man's-buff  with  Susie."  But  as 
the  short  winter's  day  drew  to  a  close,  and  the 
ponies  were  heard  jingling  their  bells  at  the 
gate,  the  romps  were  brought  to  a  speedy  con- 
clusion, and  the  boys  had  to  get  ready  for  their 
drive. 

Poor  Susie's  face  clouded,  and  her  blue  eyes 
filled  with  tears,  as  she  hung  around  Hugh, 
begging  him  not  to  go  away,  but  just  to  stay, 
and  live  with  them  at  the  cottage. 

"  My  darling  wee  sister,"  said  Hugh,  with  a 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  171 

loving  kiss,  "  I  couldn't  do  that.  But  we  shall 
come  another  day  soon.  Eh,  Percy?" 

"  Yes,  indeed,  we  will ;  that  is,  if  Aunt  Lucy 
will  have  us." 

"  My  dear  boy,  you  will  always  be  most  wel- 
come," said  Mrs.  Brown,  smiling.  "  Will  you 
come  on  Saturday  and  bring  Theo  with  you?" 

"That  will  be  delightful,"  cried  Percy. 
"  Thank  you,  so  much,  dear  aunt." 

"  Well,  good-by  till  then,  mother,"  said 
Hugh,  with  a  hug.  "  Take  care  of  yourself 
and  my  darling  Susie." 

"  I  am  quite  sure  to  do  that,  dear  child," 
she  said,  pressing  him  to  her  heart.  "  Good- 
by,  and  God  bless  you,  my  brave,  true  son." 

Then  the  boys  kissed  tiny  Susie  over  and 
over  again,  and  promised  to  bring  all  kinds 
of  good  things  with  them  on  Saturday.  This 
comforted  the  little  girl,  and  drying  her  tears 
she  smiled  and  kissed  her  hand  gayly,  as  she 
stood  watching  them  get  into  the  phaeton. 

"Our  Hoo's  a  dood,  dood  boy,  muver,"  she 
said,  as  her  mother  tucked  her  up  in  bed  for 
the  night. 

"A  good  lad,  indeed,  Susie,"  answered  Mrs. 
Brown,  earnestly.  "But  we  must  ask  God  to 
keep  him  good  always,  dear.  He  will  have 


172  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

many  trials  and  temptations,  as  he  goes  through 
life." 

"But,  muver,  dear,  God  is  sure  to  take  care 
of  him ;  for  every  morning  I  say,  '  God  bless 
Hoo,  and  make  him  a  dood  boy,  and  don't  let 
any  harm  come  to  him.'  And  you  know  God 
is  sure  to  do  what  we  ask  him." 

And  having  uttered  this  act  of  faith  in  the 
goodness  of  God,  Susie  kissed  her  mother, 
and  fell  asleep. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

BURGLARS    IN  THE   HOUSE. 


"  TJUGH,"  said  Percy,  as 
1J    "I  have  been  having 


they  drove  along, 
a  talk  with  Aunt 
Lucy,  and  she  has  given  me  some  very  good 
advice." 

"Dear  old  mother!  Doesn't  she  talk  beau- 
tifully?" cried  Hugh,  his  eyes  shining  with 
love. 

"Yes,  indeed,  she  does.  And  I  tell  you 
what,  Hugh,  I  have  been  thinking  over  all 
she  said  to  me  about  being  civil  to  Aunt  Lydia. 
So  I  am  sure  the  best  thing  for  me  to  do,  is  to 
go  straight  up  to  her  room  and  beg  her  pardon 
for  the  way  I  frightened  her  last  night." 

"  I  think  it  would  certainly  be  a  good  thing. 

But  do  you  feel  as  if  you  could  do  it  properly  T 

asked  Hugh,  doubtfully  ;  for  he  could  not  im- 

agine that  the  boy's  passionate  nature  would 

(173) 


174  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

allow  him  to  beg  his  aunt's  pardon  in  a  suffi- 
ciently humble  manner.  "You  see  she  will 
be  very  angry,  old  fellow,  and" — 

"Yes,  yes,  I  know.  But  I  feel,  some  way, 
as  if  it  would  be  easier  to  be  polite  after  I  had 
begged  her  pardon.  She  can't  help  forgiving 
me  when  I  tell  her  how  sorry  I  am." 

."No;  I  think  not;  but — why  I  declare, 
there  is  the  carriage  at  the  door,"  cried  Hugh, 
as  they  turned  into  Holland  Park.  "You  can 
just  speak  to  her  in  the  hall  for  a  minute.  I 
suppose  she  is  off  to  a  dinner  party." 

"So  it  would  seem,"  said  Percy,  his  heart 
sinking  within  him,  as  he  thought  of  the  dis- 
agreeable task  he  had  to  perform.  "  Keep  as 
close  to  me  as  possible,  Hugh,"  he  whispered, 
as  he  jumped  out  of  the  phaeton.  "I  feel 
horribly  nervous,  and  would  love  to  run  away." 

The  groom  drove  off  with  the  ponies,  and  the 
two  boys  walked  slowly  into  the  hall. 

The  butler  and  footmen  were  all  there,  wait- 
ing about  till  Mrs.  Torrens  should  descend 
from  her  room,  and  go  forth  in  state,  to  keep 
one  of  her  many  dinner  engagements. 

"  Don't  speak  to  her  now,  Percy.  Wait 
till  to-morrow  morning  to  beg  her  pardon,'' 
whispered  Hugh.  "I  don't  like  you  to  do  it 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  175 

before  the  servants.  Wait  till  to-morrow  and 
you  can  do  it  quietly  in  the  dining-room." 

"  But,  my  dear  Hugh,  I  must.  I  feel  as  if 
it  must  be  done  now,  or  never,"  he  answered. 
"  The  men  won't  mind ;  they  shan't  hear  what 
I  am  saying,  and,  if  they  do,  what  matter?" 

Just  as  he  spoke  the  rustle  of  silken  gar- 
ments was  heard,  and  Mrs.  Torrens,  in  rich 
evening  dress,  swept  down  the  stairs  into  the 
hall,  Theo  running  gayly  behind,  carrying  her 
fan,  lace  handkerchief,  and  scent  bottle. 

As  she  turned  to  take  these  things  from  the 
little  girl,  the  lady's  face  looked  kind  and 
pleasant ;  but  when  her  eyes  fell  upon  Percy 
and  his  cousin,  an  angry  flush  rose  to  her  brow, 
the  smile  faded  from  her  lips,  and  with  a 
glance  of  hatred,  she  gathered  up  her  trailing 
skirts  and  walked  quickly  past  them. 

But  Percy  was  so  anxious  to  carry  out  his 
good  resolutions,  so  occupied  with  the  thought 
of  begging  her  pardon,  that  he  did  not  notice 
her  angry  looks.  So,  instead  of  taking  Hugh'* 
advice  and  waiting  till  the  next  morning,  he 
dashed  forward,  and  in  the  presence  of  the 
servants,  whispered  that  he  was  sorry,  very 
sorry,  for  his  conduct  of  the  night  before.  At 
the  sound  of  his  voice,  Mrs.  Torrens  turned. 


1 76  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

and  without  the  slightest  pity  for  the  boy, 
burst  forth  angrily : 

"How  dare  you  speak  to  me?  How  dare 
you  come  near  me?  You  cruel,  bad  boy.  You 
should  be  horse-whipped  well  for  your  conduct 
last  night." 

"  Indeed,  Aunt  Lydia  "  — 

"  Do  not  call  me  Aunt  Lydia,  please.  You 
would  kill  me  if  you  could,  I  am  sure  ;  for,  like 
all  other  hunchbacks,  you  are  bad-hearted  and 
cruel " — 

"  No,  indeed,  I  did  not  wish  to  kill  you," 
cried  Percy,  his  eyes  beginning  to  blaze.  "I 
only  wanted  to  frighten  you,  and  make  you 
think  the  house  was  haunted,  and  "  — 

"  And  then  you  thought  I  would  run  away, 
I  suppose,"  she  said,  with  a  scornful  laugh. 
"But  I  will  do  no  such  thing;  and  if  you 
try  it  again  I'll  find  some  way  to  punish  you. 
But  don't  talk  to  me  of  forgiveness,  you 
wicked"  — 

"Do  not  be  so  hard,  Mrs.  Torrens,"  cried 
Hugh,  coming  forward  and  putting  his  arm 
round  Percy,  as  though  to  protect  him  from 
her  fury. 

"  Hard,  indeed,"  she  cried,  glaring  at  him 
fiercely.  "  Who  are  you,  pray,  that  you 


A   STORY   FOR  BOYS.  177 

should  dare  to  preach  to  me?  The  son  of  an 
adventuress  who  has  managed  to  pass  herself 
off  on  my  brother  as  his  wife's  sister.  A  little 
street  boy  brought  in  to  teach  these  foolish 
children  all  kinds  of  wicked  tricks,  and  "  — 

"  Indeed,  you  wrong  me,  Mrs.  Torrens," 
cried  Hugh ;  «« I  am  Sir  Henry's  nephew,  and 
I  never  "  — 

**  Do  not  interrupt  me,  sir.  How  dare  you 
deny  it  ?  Right  well  I  know  it  was  you  who 
made  this  boy  turn  upon  me  as  he  did  last 
night.  It  was  you  put  it  into  his  head  to 
frighten  me  out  of  the  house.  It  was  yon  who 
carried  him  off  to-day,  that  he  might  show  the 
disrespect  he  feels  for  me,  that  he  might  escape 
the  just  punishment  I  had  in  store  for  him. 
So  now  you  may  go,  I  have  found  you  out. 
My  brother  is  absent,  and  I  am  mistress  here. 
Leave  the  house  this  instant.  I  will  not  allow 
you  two  to  pass  another  night  together,  to  plot 
and  plan  any  further  mischief.  Sir  Henry  shall 
hear  of  your  conduct,  and  whether  you  are  his 
nephew  or  not  he  will  surely  approve  of  what  I 
have  done.  Away  you  go  this  minute ;  I  will 
not  stir  from  this  till  I  see  you  out.  I  am  in  a 
hurry,  so  I  beg  that  you  will  not  keep  me 


178  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

waiting,"  and  she  tapped  her  foot  impatiently 
on  the  floor. 

"He  shall  not  go,"  cried  Percy,  starting 
forward,  his  cheeks  flaming,  his  whole  body 
quivering  with  passion.  "  You  have  no  right 
to  send  my  cousin  away.  I  am  master  in  my 
father's  house,  and  he  shall  not  go." 

"But  he  shall  and  must,"  replied  Mrs. 
Torrens,  pointing  imperiously  to  the  door. 
"If  he  does  not  go  at  once,  I  will  call  a  police- 
man and  hand  him  over  to  him,  and  then  "  — 

"  Good-night,  Percy  dear,  and  don't  fret 
about  me.  It  is  best  for  me  to  go,"  whispered 
Hugh.  "  When  my  uncle  comes  home  you 
can  tell  him  all  about  it,  and  send  for  me  to 
come  back,"  and,  wringing  his  cousin's  hand, 
the  boy  took  up  his  hat,  rushed  out  of  the 
house,  and  away  down  the  dark  road  that 
led  to  Richmond. 

"The  carriage,"  called  Mrs.  Torrens,  in  an 
awful  voice,  as  Hugh  disappeared.  Then, 
gathering  her  silken  skirts  once  more  around 
her,  she  swept  down  the  steps,  without  a 
word  of  comfort  to  the  unhappy  Percy,  who 
stood  pale  and  silent,  gazing  out  into  the 
night,  apparently  unconscious  of  all  that  was 
going  on  about  him. 


A   STOKY   FOB   BOYS.  179 

"Percy  dear,  I  am  so  sorry,"  whispered 
Theo,  as  the  door  was  closed,  and  the  ser- 
vants had  withdrawn  to  the  lower  regions,  to 
talk  and  wonder  over  this  strange  aflair. 
"  Hugh  will  soon  come  back,  never  fear. 
Papa  won't  believe  that  he's  wicked,  I  know 
quite  well,"  and  the  girl's  arms  'were  thrown 
lovingly  round  her  brother's  neck. 

"  Leave  me  alone,"  muttered  Percy,  shaking 
her  off  roughly.  «*  I  want  none  of  your  pity. 
How  I  hate  you,  Aunt  Lydia  —  oh,  how  I  hate 
you,"  he  cried,  grinding  his  teeth,  and  shaking 
his  fist  at  the  spot  where  Mrs.  Torrens  had 
stood  last.  **  I  hate  you,  although  you  are  my 
fathers  sister,  for  you  make  me  feel  so  wicked 
and  horrible,  just  when  " — 

Then,  covering  his  face  with  his  hands,  he 
rushed  down  the  passage  to  his  room,  where  he 
flung  himself  on  the  floor  in  an  agony  of  grief. 

Theo's  kind  little  heart  was  filled  with  com- 
passion, and  she  would  gladly  have  comforted 
the  unhappy  boy  if  she  could ;  but  when  she 
heard  him  lock  his  door,  she  knew  he  would 
not  speak  to  her  again  that  night.  She  was 
frightened  at  his  words  of  passion  and  hatred, 
and  wept  bitterly  as  she  sat  alone  on  the 
stairs. 


180  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

At  last  a  bright  idea  seemed  to  strike  her ; 
for,  drying  her  eyes,  she  went  quickly  upstairs 
to  the  school-room.  Taking  out  her  little 
desk,  she  sat  down  by  the  fire  and  wrote  a 
few  lines  to  her  father,  imploring  him  to  come 
home,  as  they  were  all  very  miserable  without 
him. 

When  this  was  done,  Theo  felt  somewhat 
happier,  and  went  off  to  bed,  fondly  hoping 
that  everything  would  come  right  next  morn- 
ing. 

At  half-past  eleven,  the  carriage  came  driv- 
ing up  to  the  door,  bearing  Mrs.  Torrens 
home  from  her  dinner-party.  Just  as  the  foot- 
man announced  the  lady's  arrival  by  a  violent 
peal  at  the  bell,  a  gentleman  jumped  out  of 
a  "hansom,"  and  Sir  Henry  Randall  came 
forward  to  greet  his  sister. 

"  Dear,  dear,  how  you  startled  me,"  she 
exclaimed.  "  I  thought  you  were  miles  away. 
What  on  earth  brought  you  home  in  such  a 
hurry?" 

"A  longing  to  see  the  bairns,"  he  said, 
laughingly,  as  he  helped  her  to  alight.  "  I 
felt  a  great  desire  to  see  their  bonnie  faces 
once  more.  I  came  up  by  the  mail  ;  but,  as  it 
was  late,  I  dined  at  the  club.  The  chicks  will 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  181 

get  a  joyful  surprise  when  I  walk  in  to  break- 
fast in  the  morning.  I  hope  they  are  all  quite 
well?" 

"  Yes,  they  are  well,"  she  answered  grimly. 
"  But  you  can  judge  for  yourself  when  you  see 
them.  It  is  too  late  for  any  further  conver- 
sation. I  am  tired,  so  I  will  say  good- 
night." 

And  she  went  away  to  her  room,  leaving  Sir 
Henry  standing  alone  in  the  hall. 

"  It  is  strange  how  little  she  cares  for  those 
poor  children,"  he  murmured,  as  he  looked 
after  her  with  a  sad  expression  on  his  kindly 
face.  "  And  yet  how  happy  she  might  make 
them  if — but  why  should  I  think  of  such  a 
thing  when  they  never  could  agree.  Poor 
Percy  —  poor  lad  —  how  your  mother  loved 
and  cherished  you.  How  different  your  life 
was  while  she  was  near  you.  I  wonder  what 
they  have  all  been  about  during  my  absence. 
I  wish  I  had  come  a  little  sooner  and  seen  them 
before  they  went  to  bed,  for  I  feel  as  if  some- 
thing must  be  wrong  —  Lydia  looked  so  stern 
and  angry.  But  I  must  wait  till  the  morning 
for  news.  It  is  very  late,  so  they  are  sure  to 
be  all  asleep.  Turn  out  the  gas,  Grey,  and 
bolt  the  door,"  he  said  to  the  butler,  who  stood 


182  PERCY'S  UEVENOE  : 

waiting  for  orders.  "I  want  nothing  more 
to-night." 

And  then  Sir  Henry  passed  up  the  stairs, 
walking  very  softly,  lest  he  should  wake  the 
sleeping  children. 

The  great  clock  in  the  hall  stuck  one ;  the 
whole  house  was  dark  and  silent,  and  yet  Sir 
Henry  could  not  settle  to  rest.  A  vague  feel- 
ing of  alarm  was  upon  him ;  and  in  spite  of 
the  fatigue  he  felt,  after  his  long  journey  from 
Scotland,  he  could  not  bring  himself  to  go  to 
bed,  but  paced  his  room  from  end  to  end,  try- 
ing in  vain  to  shake  off  the  anxious  thoughts 
that  kept  crowding  in  upon  him. 

At  last  he  determined  that,  late  as  it  was,  he 
would  see  Percy,  and  make  sure  that  all  was 
well  with  him.  So,  taking  up  a  candle,  he 
opened  his  door  and  passed  out  on  to  the 
landing. 

But  as  he  went  he  thought  how  foolish  he 
was ;  how  unkind  it  would  be  to  wake  the 
child  for  nothing,  and  he  was  about  to  return 
to  his  room  when  an  agonizing  cry  sounded 
through  the  house. 

"What  is  that?  What  is  that?  What  can 
have  happened  ?  "  cried  Sir  Henry. 

But  as  he  spoke  Percy  came  running  along 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  183 

the  hall  below.  A  cloak  was  thrown  over 
his  night-shirt,  his  hair  was  wild  and  tumbled, 
and  he  had  neither  shoes  nor  stockings  on  his  feet. 

"  Robbers  !  burglars  !  thieves  !  "  he  screamed 
with  all  his  strength.  "Help — help.  Oh, 
come  and  help  me  —  come  and  help  me  !  " 

At  this  sudden  realization  of  his  worst  fears, 
Sir  Henry  dropped  his  candle,  and  springing 
down  the  dark  staircase,  caught  the  boy  in  his 
arms. 

Believing  his  father  to  be  far  away  in  Scot- 
land, and  not  recognizing  him  in  the  obscure 
light,  Percy  uttered  a  wild  prayer  for  mercy, 
and  would  have  fallen  fainting  to  the  ground, 
had  it  not  been  for  the  strong  arm  that  was 
round  him. 

Sir  Henry  raised  the  unconscious  boy,  and 
bore  him  swiftly  up  the  stairs  to  his  own  room. 
Laying  him  gently  on  the  bed  he  called  for 
Bridget,  the  children's  old  nurse,  to  come  and 
attend  him  as  fast  as  she  could.  Then,  with- 
out waiting  for  his  son  to  recover  his  senses, 
he  hurried  away  to  see  what  had  caused  him 
such  serious  alarm. 

"What  is  the  matter,  Henry?  What  can 
be  the  matter?"  screamed  Mrs.  Torrens,  in  a 
terrified  voice,  as  he  passed  her  door. 


184  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"  Nothing  that  need  alarm  you,  Lydia.  Go 
back  to  your  bed.  There  is  no  fear  of  the 
burglars  coming  up  here  now,"  he  answered ; 
then  ran  on  quickly  to  the  hall. 

"  Nothing  to  alarm  me,  indeed,"  she  cried, 
indignantly,  "and  you  going  shrieking  and 
shouting  about  the  house  in  the  middle  of  the 
night.  But,  if  there  are  burglars  down  there, 
I  shall  take  pretty  good  care  they  don't  come 
near  me."  And  she  withdrew  to  her  chamber, 
locking  and  bolting  the  door  behind  her. 

Meanwhile,  Sir  Henry,  Grey,  and  the  two 
footmen  entered  Percy's  room  cautiously  and 
silently.  They  peered  about  into  every  corner ; 
shook  every  curtain,  and  opened  every  door. 
But  not  a  creature  could  be  found ;  and  they 
at  last  concluded  that  the  robbers  had  escaped 
when  Percy  had  given  the  alarm  to  the  house- 
hold. 

But  everything  within  the  room  was  in  a 
state  of  wild  confusion.  Silver  forks  and 
spoons  lay  in  heaps  upon  the  table  and  floor ; 
the  precious  treasures  from  the  much-loved 
cabinet  were  thrown  here  and  there  about  the 
place,  and  just  outside  the  open  window  lay 
a  beautiful  silver  tea-pot,  wThich  they  had 


A   STORY   FOE   BOYS.  185 

probably  tried  to  carry  off,  but  had  dropped 
accidentally  in  their  flight. 

And  when  Sir  Henry  approached  the  little 
alcove  in  which  his  son  slept,  he  started  back 
with  an  exclamation  of  horror. 

Sticking  up  out  of  the  mattress  was  a  huge 
carving-knife,  which  must  have  been  aimed  at 
the  boy  in  hopes  of  killing  him  as  he  slept. 

"  Those  rascals  must  be  found,"  he  cried. 
"  Call  hi  the  watchman,  that  I  may  give  him 
the  particulars  of  this  murderous  attack  on  my 
son's  life.  It  will,  indeed,  be  a  terrible  thing 
if  we  cannot  trace  these  wicked  wretches." 

The  policeman  came  and  listened  gravely  to 
the  story.  He  advised  them  to  search  the 
lower  part  of  the  premises,  and  if  no  one  was 
seen,  to  fasten  up  the  doors  and  windows  and 
go  to  bed. 

They  did  as  he  desired,  but  no  further  traces 
of  the  burglars  could  be  found.  So  the  man 
bade  Sir  Henry  a  respectful  good-night,  and 
took  his  departure,  promising  to  keep  a  sharp 
look-out  upon  the  house  for  the  remainder  of 
the  night. 

The  servants  then  set  to  work  to  put  their 
young  master's  room  in  order  again. 

They  carried  the  spoons  and  forks  back  to 


186  PERCY'S  IIEVENGE  : 

the  safe  in  the  library,  and  were  much  surprised 
to  find  that  this  had  not  been  broken  open,  as 
they  had  supposed,  but  had  been  unlocked  with 
the  key  in  the  proper  manner. 

"  Grey,"  said  the  master,  in  a  stern  voice, 
"this  key  was  in  your  charge  during  my 
absence.  How  does  it  come  that  you  left  it 
about  for  burglars  to  make  use  of?" 

"I  beg  your  pardon,  Sir  Henry,  but  I  did 
not  leave  it  about,"  said  Grey,  respectfully. 
"  I  locked  up  the  silver,  and  placed  the  key  in 
the  drawer  in  your  bedroom,  as  I  always  do,  at 
half  past  nine  this  evening." 

"  Then  I  cannot  understand  how  the  thieves 
can  have  found  it.  That  drawer  is  hard  to 
open  unless  one  knows  the  secret.  But  we 
shall  know  more  to-morrow.  Go  up,  Thomas, 
and  see  how  Master  Percy  is.  I  think  I  will 
not  go  near  him  again,  lest  I  should  startle 
him.  I  will  stay  in  his  room  for  to-night. 

The  man  went  away,  and  returned  in  a  few 
minutes,  saying  that  Percy  was  restless,  and 
called  continually  for  his  cousin. 

"  Poor  lad,  poor  lad,"  said  his  father,  "  this 
has  been  a  great  shock  for  him.  Ask  Master 
Hugh  to  go  to  him.  I  wonder  he  has  not  been 
down  all  this  time,  But  boys  do  sleep  so 


A    STOliY    FOIi    BOYS.  187 

soundly.  I  dare  say  he  has  not  heard  the 
slightest  noise.  You  might  knock  at  his  door, 
Thomas,  and  tell  him  that  Master  Percy  is  not 
well.  He  will  go  to  him  immediately,  I  am 
sure." 

"But — if — you  please,  Sir  'Enery,"  began 
Thomas. 

"  "Well,  what  is  the  matter?  Are  you  afraid 
to  go  up  stairs  again  alone?" 

"No,  Sir  'Enery;  but  Master  'TTgh,  Sir 
'Euery" — 

"  "Well,  what  about  Master  Hugh?  You  are 
not  afraid  to  wake  him,  I  suppose.  It  is  a 
pity,  poor  boy,  but  it  can't  be  helped." 

"  I  don't  mind  wakin'  'im,  Sir  'Enery.  But 
please  —  'es  gone.  'Es  not  in  'is  room." 

"Hugh  not  in  his  room?  Hugh  gone!" 
cried  his  master  in  astonishment.  "  Where 
has  he  gone?  When  did  he  go?" 

"If  you  please,  Sir  Henry,"  said  Grey, 
bowing  respectfully,  "Master  Hugh  Brown 
left  the  house  this  evening  at  a  quarter  to 
eight,  by  orders  of  your  sister,  Mrs.  Torrens." 


CHAPTER  XII. 

A    STRANGE    CONFESSION. 

THE  next  morning  Percy  looked  pale  and 
weary.  He  did  not  go  downstairs  to 
breakfast,  but  took  it  alone  in  the  old  nursery, 
which  had  long  since  become  the  special  sanc- 
tum of  Nurse  Bridget.  This  good  woman 
loved  the  boy  dearly,  and  was  sorely  vexed 
to  see  him- so  ill.  But  she  put  it  down  to  the 
fright  he  had  received  the  night  before,  and 
talked  to  him  about  all  manner  of  pleasant 
things,  hoping  to  cheer  him  up,  and  make  him 
forget  the  terrible  midnight  visitors. 

But  no  matter  what  she  did  or  said,  Percy 
remained  sad  and  preoccupied ;  and  at  last 
Bridget  turned  away  with  a  sigh,  and  taking 
her  knitting,  sat  down  in  silence  by  the  fire. 

"Nurse,"  said  Percy,  a  few  moments  later, 
"I  want  to  ask  you  something." 
(188) 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  189 

"Ask  away,  my  son,  I'll  gladly  tell  you  all 
I  know,"  she  answered,  smiling. 

"Why — wfiy — did  that  robber  put  me  into 
papa's  bed?" 

"That  robber — that —  Dear,  bless  my 
soul,  Master  Percy,  I  don't  believe  the  rob- 
bers came  up  the  stairs  at  all.  Leastways 
they  were  very  quiet  if  they  did.  But  it  seems 
more  likely  to  me  that  Mr.  Grey  left  the  key 
of  the  safe  ready  waitin'  in  the  lock.  But,  of 
course,  it's  not  for  me  to  say.  But,  dear  heart 
alive,  it  was  your  own  dear  father  caught  you 
in  his  arms  as  you  were  just  goin'  to  fall  sense- 
less on" — 

"Was  it  really  my  father — really?" 

"Yes  ;  really  and  truly  your  own  dear  father 
that  carried  you  up  and  laid  you  on  his  own 
bed." 

"But  I  thought  papa  was  in  Scotland — I 
thought  —  oh,  dear,  how  shall  I  tell  him? 
How  shall  I  ever  look  him  in  the  face  ?  If 
I  had  only  known  he  was  at  home,"  and,  to 
Bridget's  surprise,  Percy  began  to  cry. 

"Poor  lad,  poor  lad,"  she  said  kindly,  and, 
putting  her  arm  around  him,  she  led  him  to 
the  sofa  and  tried  to  make  him  lie  down  and 
rest. 


190  PERCY'S  REVENGE: 

But  Percy  started  away  from  her,  and  fling- 
ing himself  on  a  chair  declared  that  he  should 
never  be  able  to  speak  to  his  father  again ;  that 
he  would  run  away ;  that  he  would  die  ;  and 
made  so  many  wild  statements  of  this  kind 
that  poor  old  nurse  thought  he  must  be  going 
quite  mad. 

"Dear,  dear,  I  must  go  for  Sir  Henry — I 
must,  indeed,"  she  cried,  going  to  the  door. 

"Nurse,  nurse,"  called  Percy,  and  she  was 
beside  him  in  an  instant. 

"Tell  me  truly.  Was  it  really  my  father 
who  caught  me  in  his  arms  last  night  ?  " 

"Yes,  it  was  indeed.  But,  if  you  do  not 
believe  me,  go  down  and  ask  Sir  Henry.  He 
will  tell  you  all  about  it." 

"No,  no;  I  can't  do  that,"  cried  Percy,  and 
he  covered  his  face  with  his  hands. 

As  he  now  seemed  to  have  grown  somewhat 
calmer,  Bridget  took  up  her  knitting  and  sat 
down,  hoping  every  moment  that  he  would 
think  better  of  what  he  had  said  and  go  down 
stairs  to  his  father. 

But  Percy  remained  where  he  was  with  a 
weary  look  about  him  as  though  too  tired  to 
speak  or  move.  The  least  sound  in  the  pas- 
sage or  on  the  stairs  made  him  flush  violently, 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  191 

and  he  trembled  visibly  when  a  door  opened 
or  shut. 

But,  at  last,  a  servant  came  with  a  message 
from  Sir  Henry,  saying  that  he  would  be  glad 
to  see  his  son  in  the  library  as  soon  as  possible. 

"Tell  him  I  can't  go.  Tell  him  I — at 
least  —  no  —  I  will  go  directly,"  Percy  said 
nervously;  then  sank  back  upon  his  chair, 
looking  white  and  frightened. 

**  Oh,  I  suppose  I  must  go ;  I  suppose  I 
must;  I  am  longing  to  see  him  and  yet  I 
dread  to  meet  him.  Xever  hi  my  life  did  I  feel 
so  ashamed  to ;  but  I  must  —  I  must ; "  and, 
springing  suddenly  to  his  feet,  he  dashed  out 
of  the  room  and  down  the  stairs. 

Terrified  by  this  unexpected  display  of 
strength,  Bridget  ran  after  him  along  the  pas- 
sage ;  she  was  afraid  he  might  fall  fainting 
once  more,  if  there  was  no  one  near  to  help 
him  on  his  way. 

But  Percy  was  not  so  weak  as  he  appeared, 
and  very  soon  vanished  from  her  sight.  Then, 
presently  she  heard  the  library  door  open  and 
shut ;  and,  with  a  sigh  of  relief,  she  returned 
to  her  own  quarters. 

When  Percy  entered  the  room  Sir  Henry 
was  standing  by  the  fire,  talking  to  Theo, 


192  PERCY'S  REVENGE: 

whose  face  was  radiant  with  joy  at  feeling  her 
dear  father's  arm  around  her  once  more. 

"  You  must  not  go  away  without  me  again, 
dear  papa,"  she  safd,  rubbing  her  cheek  against 
his  hand.  "  I  have  been  so  miserable  whilst 
you  were  away,  and  I  was  terrified  when  I 
heard  about  the  robbers  last  night.  Why,  if 
you  had  not  come  home  in  time,  they  might 
have  killed  us  all ;  and,  as  for  poor  Percy  he  — 
But  here  he  comes  to  speak  for  himself  at  last," 
and  she  sprang  forward  to  kiss  her  brother. 

"  Percy  !  Percy  !  here  is  papa,"  she  cried. 
"  Is  it  not  glorious  to  have  him  home  again? 
Didn't  those  burglars  give  you  a  fright,  poor 
boy ;  and  isn't  it  lucky  they  didn't  kill  you 
with  that  big  knife  ?  " 

"  My  dear  Theo,  what  a  stream  of  questions. 
How  can  you  expect  any  one  to  answer  you,  if 
you  ask  so  many  things  at  once?"  said  Sir 
Henry,  laughing.  "  But  why  are  you  so  pale, 
Percy,  dear  lad?"  and,  taking  his  little  son  in 
his  arms,  he  kissed  him  tenderly. 

"  I  don't  feel  very  well,  papa,"  replied  Percy, 
flushing. 

"  You  are  nervous,  dear,  after  the  shock  you 
received  last  night,  and  no  wonder.  But,  cheer 
up,  my  boy ;  we  shall  soon  discover  those  ras- 


A  STORY  FOR  BOYS.  193 

cals  of  robbers,  and  I  shall  make  an  example 
of  them,  I  promise  you.  And  now,  I  want  you 
to  tell  me  all  you  can  —  what  you  saw ;  what 
the  men  were  like ;  and  so  on." 

"  No,  no ;  please  no,  papa ;  don't  ask  me ; 
I  would  rather  not ;  I  — there — was  —  nothing 
taken  — and"  — 

««  Xothing  taken?  How  can  you  be  sure  of 
that  yet  ?  All  the  forks  and  spoons  that  were 
over  your  room  show  very  clearly  that  the  fel- 
lows knew  what  they  were  about.  I  am  pretty 
certain  they  took  a  great  many  things  away  with 
them.  Why,  we  even  found  a  tear-pot  on  the 
garden-wall.  Whoever  took  that,  took  more, 
you  may  be  quite  sure.  I  will  ask  Grey  if  he 
has  gone  over  the  silver.  We  shall  then  have 
an  idea  of  how  much  has  been  stolen." 

The  bell  was  rung,  and  the  butler  appeared ; 
but  he  declared  that,  having  counted  the  silver, 
as  Sir  Henry  had  desired,  he  found  that  there 
was  not  so  much  as  a  teaspoon  missing. 

"  Xow,  father,  aren't  you  quite  satisfied," 
cried  Percy,  eagerly.  Let  the  men  alone, 
you"  — 

"  Indeed,  I  am  not  at  all  satisfied,  Percy," 
replied  his  father,  hotly.  "There  must  be 
some  way  of  tracing  those  ruffians  who  have 


194  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

entered  my  house  and  attempted  my  son's  life  ; 
for,  had  you  not  escaped  —  as  you  told  Bridget 
last  night,  by  slipping  down  between  the  bed 
and  the  wall  —  you  would  surely  have  been 
killed  by  that  knife,  which  I  found  sticking  in 
your  mattress ! " 

"  Yes,  I  know ;  but  how  are  you  to  trace 
these  robbers,  papa?"  said  Percy,  nervously. 
"  The  light  was  so  dim,  that  I  should  never 
know  the  men  again  ;  and  then  —  and  then  — 
you  might  blame  some  innocent  person." 

"  There  is  no  fear  of  that,"  cried  a  voice  that 
made  Percy  start  and  flush ;  "  I  can  give  you 
something  to  help  you  to  find  the  thieves ;  I 
can  give  you  a  clue  —  put  you  on  the  right 
track,"  and,  and  with  a  look  of  triumph,  Mrs. 
Torrens  flung  two  empty  jewel  cases  upon  the 
table.  "What  do  you  say  to  that,  Henry? 
My  diamond  star  and  bracelet  were  stolen  from 
these  last  night;  and  I  believe,  and  solemnly 
declare,  that  Hugh  Brown  headed  the  band  of 
robbers  that  entered  the  house,  and  showed 
them  "  — 

"  That  is  a  lie,  and  you  know  it  is,"  cried 
Percy,  passionately. 

"  For  shame,  Percy,"  cried  his  father. 

"You  hear  him,  brother.     I  am  very  glad," 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  195 

said  Mrs.  Torrens.  "  Now,  perhaps,  you  will 
understand  the  contemptuous  manner  in  which 
your  son  always  treats  me.  But  we  shall  say 
no  more  upon  the  subject  for  the  present.  I 
must  now  set  to  work  to  find  my  jewels,  and  I 
shall  feel  much  obliged  if  you  will  kindly  as-i.-t 
me  as  far  as  you  can.  It  will  be  a  difficult 
task,  no  doubt,  but  if  you  will  help  me,  I  shall 
soon  get  them  back,  I  am  sure." 

"  Of  course  I  will  do  all  I  possibly  can  to 
assist  you,  Lydia,"  Sir  Henry  replied ;  "  but  I 
am  deeply  pained  that  you  should  bring  such 
an  accusation  against  Hugh.  It  was  cruel  of 
you  to  do  so,  and  I  sincerely  hope  that  you 
will  recall  your  words  when  you  have  tune  for 
reflection." 

"  I  am  quite  sure  I  shall  do  no  such  thing," 
she  answered,  haughtily.  "  I  have  good  reason 
to  think  that  I  am  right,  and  am  certain  to  hear 
nothing  to  induce  me  to  change." 

"  But,  my  dear  Lydia,  the  idea  is  most  pre- 
posterous. Hugh  is  my  nephew,  and  a  better 
or  more  honest  lad  I  never  knew  in  my  life." 

"  Yes ;  and  you  know  him  for  such  a  long 
time.  My  dear  Henry,  even  supposing  the 
boy  were  really  your  nephew,  which  I  don't 
believe,  what  do  you  know  about  him  ? 


196  PERCY'S  REVENGE: 

Brought  up,  as  he  has  been,  in  the  backwoods 
of  Australia,  and  then  in  a  wretched  lodging 
in  London,  is  it  likely  that  he  is  the  paragon 
you  wish  to  make  him  out?  I,  for  one,  never 
had  any  faith  in  the  youngster,  and  am  not  at 
all  astonished  at  what  has  happened.  Some 
one  in  the  house  helped  those  men  last  night." 

"But  Hugh  was  not  in  the  house,  aunt," 
cried  Theo ;  "you  sent  him  away." 

"  Of  course,  I  know  that,  Miss  Pert,"  replied 
Mrs.  Torrens  ;  "  but  what  I  mean  is,  that  some 
one  who  knew  the  house  and  its  ways  helped 
the  burglars ;  some  one  who  knew  where  my 
room  was,  and  where  my  jewels  were  kept; 
some  one  who  knew  where  the  key  of  the 
plate-chest  was  to  be  found ;  and  that  some  one 
was  no  other  than  Hugh  Brown,  in  spite  of  his 
meek  looks  and  quiet  ways.  I  saw  mischief  in 
his  face  as  he  left  the  hall  yesterday  evening. 
He  hated  me,  and,  when  I  turned  him  out  last 
night,  I  felt  sure  that  he  would  be  revenged 
upon  me  as  soon  as  he  could." 

« '  And  why  you  treated  the  boy  so  shame- 
fully I  cannot  understand,"  said  Sir  Henry. 
"Had  I  been  at  home  I  would  not  have  allowed 
you  to  do  so." 

i<  Had  you  heard  my  reason  for  turning  him 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  197 

out,  perhaps  you  would  not  defend  him  so 
warmly,"  she  cried. 

"  I  have  heard  the  reason,  and  I  cannot  see 
any  justice  in  it,"  answered  her  brother, 
warmly.  "  Percy  played  a  wicked  trick  upon 
you,  and  you  wreak  your  anger  on  Hugh,  who 
had  no  more  to  do  with  it  than  he  has  had  to 
do  with  the  stealing  of  your  diamonds  last 
night." 

"  Indeed,  so  you  think ! "  she  said,  scorn- 
fully. 

"  So  I  believe  confidently,"  he  replied.  "I 
am  certain  that  Hugh  had  as  little  to  do  with  it 
as  Percy  or  I." 

"  Far  less,  far  less,"  cried  Percy,  twisting 
his  fingers  nervously  together;  "far  less,  for 
he  was  away  in  Richmond." 

"  Yes,  I  am  sure  he  went  home  to  his 
mother,"  said  Sir  Henry.  "I  will  go  there 
after  lunch,  Lydia,  and  question  him  closely. 
It  will  not  be  difficult  to  learn  the  truth  from 
his  frank,  open  countenance." 

"Question  him,  indeed,"  cried  Mrs.  Torrens, 
fiercely.  "I  shall  send  a  policeman  to  arrest 
him,  and  then  we  shall  hear  him  questioned  be- 
fore a  magistrate,"  and  gathering  up  her  jewel 
cases  she  turned  to  leave  the  room. 


198  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

But  Percy  darted  forward,  and  clutching 
convulsively  at  her  dress,  implored  her  to 
stay  where  she  was  for  a  few  moments  longer. 

"I  have  something  to  tell  you  about  last 
night,  Aunt  Lydia,"  he  said,  in  a  hoarse  whis- 
per. "  Pray  listen  to  what  I  have  to  tell  you." 

"Bah,  what  can  you  have  to  tell  me?"  she 
replied,  angrily,  and  trying  to  shake  him  off. 
"I  know  all  you  have  to  tell  me.  I  have 
heard  your  story  over  and  over  again  from 
Mary  Ann.  How  you  saw  three  great  black- 
looking  men  poking  about  your  room ;  how 
one  came  and  glared  at  you  in  your  bed,  and 
how  you  saved  yourself  by  slipping  under- 
neath. Oh,  I  know  it  all;  but  what  do  I 
care  ?  I  want  my  diamonds  —  my  " — 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  know,"  cried  Percy,  with  quiv- 
ering lip.  "But  I  want  to  tell  you — to  swear 
to  you  that  Hugh  was  not  here  last  night." 

"Nonsense,  boy!  Let  me  go.  Why  on 
earth  should  you  make  such  a  fuss,  because 
I  have  proof  that  that  wretched  little  adven- 
turer is  a  thief.  It  is  only  wrhat  you  might 
all  have  expected." 

"But  listen — pray  listen,"  insisted  Percy. 
"Father,  do  make  her  stay.  She  must  not 
arrest  Hugh.  She  must  not  accuse  him 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  199 

falsely,  my  dear,  good  cousin.  Speak  to  her, 
father;  beg  her  not  to  be  so  hard  —  not  to 
go  till  she  hears  what  I  have  to  tell —  till " — 

**  She  shall  not,  my  dear  boy,"  cried  Sir 
Henry,  stroking  the  golden  hair.  "  Lydia,  I 
must  ask  you  to  sit  down  for  a  few  minutes, 
as  a  personal  favor.  That  is  right.  Now, 
Percy,  do  not  keep  your  aunt  too  long.  Calm 
yourself,  and  tell  us  quietly  what  you  want 
to  say." 

As  Mrs.  Torrens  could  not  well  refuse  her 
brother's  request,  she  flung  herself  down  upon 
the  sofa  with  an  angry  glare  at  Percy. 

"Be  quick  with  your  story,  please.  My 
tune  is  precious,"  she  said,  ungraciously; 
"and  I  do  not  care  to  waste  it  listening  to 
your  nonsense." 

"  What  I  have  to  say  must  be  said  before 
the  servants,  papa,"  said  Percy,  growing  white 
to  the  lips.  "  TVill  you  ring,  and  ask  them  all 
to  come  up?" 

"  Mighty  theatrical,  upon  my  word,"  sneered 
Mrs.  Torrens. 

"My  dear  child,"  cried  his  father,  in  sur- 
prise, "  what  can  the  servants  have  to  do  with 
it?  You  are  too  much  agitated;  you  are  ill. 
Come  and  lie  down.  You  can  tell  us  this 


200  PERCY'S  KEVENGE  : 

secret  later  on.  Your  aunt  will  listen  to  you 
this  evening,  I  am  sure." 

"  For  Hugh's  sake  it  must  be  done  at  once," 
answered  Percy,  with  a  gasp.  "Don't  touch 
me,  father ;  don't  look  at  me  kindly  till  you 
have  heard  my  story — and — and  forgiven  me. 
But  please  do  as  I  ask  you.  Ring  the  bell  and 
ask  the  servants  to  come  up." 

Seeing  that  the  boy  was  really  in  earnest,  Sir 
Henry  rang  the  bell  and  requested  the  butler  to 
collect  the  servants  and  bring  them  to  speak  to 
him  in  the  library. 

Greatly  alarmed  at  such  an  unexpected  sum- 
mons the  numerous  domestics  came  hurrying 
in,  and  ranged  themselves  in  silence  along  the 
furthest  end  of  the  room. 

"Now,  Percy,  my  lad,  let  us  hear  this 
wonderful  tale  of  yours,"  cried  Sir  Henry,  as 
cheerfully  as  possible ;  for  he  wished  to  help 
the  child,  whose  extreme  agitation  gave  him 
great  anxiety. 

Percy  stood  "by  the  table,  pule  as  death ;  and 
as  his  father  spoke  he  grasped  the  back  of  a 
chair,  as  though  to  steady  himself,  ere  he  be- 
gan. He  trembled  so  much  that  little  Theo 
thought  he  must  surely  fall,  and  she  whispered 
to  him  to  sit  down  and  rest  for  a  moment. 


A   STORY    FOB   BOYS.  201 

But  Percy  did  not  hear  her,  and  casting  his 
ej  es  upon  the  ground,  he  said,  faintly : 

"  Father,  there  were  no  robbers  in  the  house 
last  night." 

' '  Xo  robbers  ?  My  dear  boy,  you  are  —  you 
must  be  dreaming." 

"  Xo,  father,  I  am  not  dreaming,"  said 
Percy,  his  voice  growing  stronger  as  he  spoke. 
"  What  I  say  is  true.  There  were  no  burglars 
in  the  house  nor  in  my  room.  I  threw  open 
the  window ;  I  threw  the  silver  about  the  floor 
and  then  ran  out  shouting  for  help  as  I  "  — 

"  Percy,  why  did  you  do  such  a  monstrous 
thing?"  cried  Sir  Henry.  "  What  could  have 
possessed  you  to  act  such  a  lie  ?  I  really  cannot 
believe  it  possible." 

"  But  you  must  believe  me,  father.  I  did  it 
because  I  wanted  to  be  revenged  —  because  I 
wanted  to  frighten  Aunt  Lydia,  and  make  her 
leave  the  house.  I  "  — 

"  A  very  creditable  confession,  upon  my 
word,"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Torrens,  indignantly  ; 
"  and  now,  perhaps  you  will  tell  me  where  my 
jewels  are  ;  and  how  you  managed  to  enter  my 
room  unseen  last  night  after  I  was  in  bed.  I 
wore  the  star  and  bracelet  at  the  dinner  party, 


202  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"About  your  jewels  I  know  nothing,"  an- 
swered Percy,  quickly.  "  I  did  not  touch  a 
single  thing  except  the  silver,  and  I  never  went 
near  your  room.  I  did  not  go  up  stairs  till  I 
ran  up  shouting  for  help.  Then  my  father 
caught  me  in  his  arms  and  carried  me  to  his 
bedroom.  I  was  terrified  when  I  saw  him,  for 
I  did  not  recognize  him,  and  thought  some 
burglars  had  really  got  in  —  that  he  was  one 
and  would  kill  me  —  and  "  — 

"You  tell  a  story  well,  my  charming 
nephew,"  said  Mrs.  Torrens,  with  a  scornful 
laugh.  "  But  I  tell  you  plainly  that  I  do  not 
believe  one  word  of  it.  The  whole  thing  is  a 
make-up  —  a  wicked  lie,  told  to  screen  that 
young  adventurer  whom  you  call  your  cousin, 
Hugh  Brown." 

"Indeed  —  indeed,  it  is  every  word  true. 
Hugh  was  not  here  —  Hugh  "  — 

"  I  would  not  believe  a  word  you  say,  Percy 
Randall,"  she  answered,  contemptuously,  "  not 
if  you  were  to  swear  it." 

"  But  I  tell  you  it  is  true,  and  you 
must  believe  me,"  cried  Percy,  passionately. 
"  Father,  tell  her  it  is  true.  Ask  her  to 
believe  me  and  spare  Hugh,"  and  he  turned 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  203 

imploringly  to  Sir  Henry  who  stood  stern  and 
silent  by  the  fire. 

"  I  cannot  believe  you,  either,  Percy."  he 
replied,  in  a  tone  of  deep  pain.  "  A  boy  who 
could  act  as  you  have  done,  would  be  so  mean, 
so  wretched,  that  I  could  not  bear  to  think  of 
him  as  my  son.  You  have  told  a  story  that  is  to 
me  perfectly  incredible.  If  you  have  played 
this  trick,  you  have  acted  a  series  of  lies,  of 
which  I  could  never  believe  you  capable.  And 
if  you  have  told  this  tale  hoping  to  screen 
Hugh,  say  so  ;  and  although  I  shall  feel  grieved 
beyond  measure  to  think  that  you  could  tell 
such  a  lie,  still,  as  it  has  been  told  in  a  good 
cause,  with  a  kind  intention,  I  may  forgive  you 
in  time.  But  if  this  account  of  last  night's 
work  be  true  —  if  you  have  acted  the  coward's 
part  that  you  describe  "  — 

' '  Father  —  father  —  I  did  —  I  did ;  but  for- 
give me  —  forgive  me,"  cried  Percy,  wildly; 
and  he  flung  himself  at  Sir  Henry's  feet. 

"  I  cannot  forgive  you,"  said  his  father, 
sternly,  and  he  turned  away  from  the  kneeling 
boy.  "  You  have  acted  as  only  a  wicked, 
revengeful  creature  could  do.  I  am  ashamed 
of  you,  and  cannot  bear  to  think  that  my  son 
ceuld  be  guilty  of  such  conduct.  Go  —  retire 


204  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

to  your  room,  and,  think  over  your  wickedness 
in  silence  and  alone.  I  will  not  hear  another 
word  from  you  at  present.  Go." 

Never  before  had  Percy  heard  his  father's 
voice  so  hard  and  stern  ;  never  before  had  he 
spoken  to  him  in  such  a  determined  manner. 

So,  without  daring  to  utter  another  prayer 
for  pardon,  without  a  murmur  at  his  harshness, 
he  rose  to  his  feet  and  crept  out  of  the  library. 

Almost  blind  with  terror,  he  groped  his  way 
along  the  passage  to  his  room,  there  to  weep 
bitter  tears  of  mingled  grief  and  rage  over  his 
miserable  conduct  and  cruel  treatment. 


CHAPTER    XIH. 

PEBCY   GIVES   WAT   TO   DESPAIR. 

THE  time  dragged  wearily  on,  and  Percy 
remained  alone  in  his  room,  miserable  and 
unhappy. 

The  house  was  strangely  silent  all  through 
the  day,  and  as  evening  closed  in,  the  boy 
began  to  long  for  the  sight  of  a  friendly  face. 

His  door  had  been  locked  since  morning,  and 
no  one  had  sought  leave  to  enter  except  the 
servant,  whom  his  father  had  sent  with  his 
luncheon.  But  Percy  was  too  wretched  to 
think  of  eating,  and  took  no  notice  of  the 
man's  knock  for  admission. 

"  Poor  little  genelman,  Vll  come  out  maybe, 
and  take  it  in  if  I  just  leave  it  'ere,"  said 
Thomas  to  himself,  and  depositing  the  tray  on 
a  table  near  the  door,  he  went  away. 

And  as  time  passed  over  and  no  one  came  to 
(205) 


206  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

comfort  him,  Percy  became  more  and  more 
unhappy. 

He  had  wept  so  long  and  bitterly  that  his 
eyes  were  swelled  and  burning,  his  lips  hot, 
his  throat  dry  and  parched. 

"Oh,  father,  father,  if  you  could  only  forgive 
me,"  he  cried,  raising  his  aching  head  for  a 
moment,  then  letting  it  fall  again  upon  his  out- 
stretched arms.  "Forgive  me,  father — forgive 
your  poor  little  son." 

But  his  father  could  not  hear  his  prayer,  and 
did  not  understand  the  depth  of  the  boy's 
misery.  He  had  not  shown  much  sorrow 
when  telling  his  story  in  the  library,  and  was 
boldly  defiant  in  his  manner,  so  Sir  Henry 
thought  it  best  to  leave  him  alone,  hoping  that 
a  few  hours'  solitude  would  bring  him  to  a 
proper  state  of  good  feeling  and  subjection. 

And  thus  it  was  that  the  poor  boy  was 
deserted  at  a  time  when  a  loving  word  might 
have  touched  and  softened  his  heart. 

Had  his  mother  been  alive  she  would  have 
understood  this  well,  and  would  have  saved 
her  child  from  the  sad  consequences  of  this  day 
of  loneliness  and  neglect. 

But,  alas,  she  was  not  near,  and  Percy  was 
left  alone,  with  no  companions  but  his  own 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  207 

proud,  angry  thoughts,  which  he  had  never 
been  taught  to  curb  or  subdue. 

Over  and  over  again  he  went  through  the 
scene  in  the  library,  and  each  time  it  seemed 
more  and  more  impossible  that  he  should  ever 
obtain  his  father's  forgiveness. 

"  And  yet  I  felt  sure  he  would  forgive  me  at 
once  when  he  saw  how  much  it  pained  me  to 
tell  it  to  them  all,"  he  said,  bitterly.  "But, 
oh,  how  cruel  he  was.  How  hard  and  stern. 
And  only  for  Hugh  —  for  the  love  I  have  for 
him — I  would  never  have  told.  I  never  meant 
to  tell ;  and  if  papa  had  just  remained  a  little 
longer  in  Scotland,  it  would  all  have  gone  off 
quietly  enough.  Aunt  Lydia  would  have  been 
frightened,  no  robbers  would  have  been  found, 
and  that  would  have  been  the  end  of  it.  But 
then  when  he  came  home,  and  the  diamonds 
were  lost  and  Hugh  accused,  I  had  to  tell.  Oh, 
dear,  oh,  dear,  what  an  unfortunate  boy  I  am. 
How  delighted  Aunt  Lydia  was  to  see  me 
scorned  before  the  servants;  how  happy  it 
made  her  to  see  me  sent  away  in  disgrace." 

And  at  this  thought  Percy  writhed  with  pain. 
He  stamped  his  feet  and  gnashed  his  teeth  as 
he  remembered  his  aunf  s  delight  at  his  cruel 
humiliation. 


208  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"  I  can't  bear  to  think  of  it,"  he  cried, 
fiercely.  "  I  have  been  shamefully  treated  by 
every  one,  and  it  is  too  bad.  Papa  should  not 
have  said  such  things  before  Aunt  Lydia ;  if 
he  had  told  me  quietly  that  it  was  wicked  I 
shouldn't  have  minded  —  but  to  be  scorned 
and — .  But  I  can't  stand  it,  and  I  won't. 
Perhaps  he  may  want  me  to  beg  her  pardon, 
and  before  the  servants  too.  But  I  won't  —  so 
there.  Aunt  Lucy  is  good  and  kind  —  Aunt 
Lucy  will  not  treat  me  as  papa  has  treated  me, 
so  I  shall  go  to  her  and  tell  her  all  about  it. 
If  my  father  wants  me  back  again  he  can  come 
for  me." 

This  seemed  a  delightful  way  of  escaping 
from  further  humiliation  for  the  present  at 
least,  and  Percy  grasped  at  it  at  once.  So, 
starting  to  his  feet,  he  seized  his  hat  and  coat, 
and  began  to  put  them  on  with  great  alacrity. 

"  But  supposing  my  father  should  never  for- 
give me?  Supposing  he  should  never  let  me 
come  home  again  ?  Supposing  he  were  to  send 
me  away  to  a  horrid  school  —  to — to  punish 
me?  What  should  I  do?  How  could  I  live 
away  from  my  home  —  away  from" — and  he 
glanced  round  the  room,  gazing  at  all  his  treas- 
ures with  looks  of  loving  regret. 


A    STORY   FOR    BOYS.  209 

"  But  no,  that  is  impossible.  My  father 
loves  me  too  well  for  that ;  he  will  soon  send 
for  me.  He  will  be  frightened  when  he  finds 
me  gone.  Then  he  will  come  to  look  for  me ; 
will  see  how  cruel  he  has  been  ;  and  will  forgive 
me  at  once.  Aunt  Lydia  will  go  away,  I  will 
come  back,  and  we  shall  be  happy  again  to- 
gether. But  I  could  not  bear  to  see  my  father 
to-night,  or  even  to-morrow  —  I  could  not  bear 
to  hear  him  speak  to  me  in  that  stern  voice 
again.  He  does  not  love  me  —  at  least  not  to- 
day—  so  I'll  just  go  off  to  Aunt  Lucy  and 
Hugh.  They  will  never  turn  against  me." 

So,  allowing  himself  to  be  blinded  by  pride, 
Percy  misjudged  his  loving  father,  and  revolted 
against  his  well-deserved  punishment. 

And  yet,  here,  had  he  but  thought  of  it,  was 
an  excellent  opportunity  of  putting  in  practice 
the  good  resolutions  he  had  made,  and  profiting 
by  the  advice  he  had  received  from  Mrs.  Brown 
only  the  day  before. 

But,  alas  !  all  that  was  now  forgotten ;  he 
thought  no  more  of  being  patient  and  virtuous  ; 
he  neglected  to  pray  to  his  Heavenly  Father 
for  help  in  this  hour  of  temptation ;  and  in 
trying  to  escape  from  suffering  and  humiliation, 
he  fell  into  a  more  terrible  danger. 


210  PERCY'S  REVENGE: 

Without  giving  himself  time  for  further  re- 
flection, the  foolish  boy  resolved  to  leave  the 
house  and  set  out  for  Richmond  at  once.  So, 
snatching  up  a  warm  muffler,  he  tied  it  tightly 
round  his  throat,  pulled  his  hat  over  his  brows, 
and  passed  quickly  down  the  long  passage  into 
the  hall. 

Here  he  paused  for  an  instant  and  listened 
cautiously,  lest  any  of  the  household  should  be 
about  and  see  him  go  out. 

But  no  one  was  near,  and  he  sped  silently 
past  the  library  door,  up  the  wide  hall,  and 
out  into  the  street. 

It  was  now  quite  dark ;  and  as  the  keen 
evening  air  chilled  him  to  the  heart,  he  began 
to  realize  what  a  foolish  thing  he  was  doing ; 
and,  gulping  down  a  big  sob  that  rose  in  his 
throat,  he  turned  as  though  to  enter  the  house 
again. 

But  the  door  had  closed  behind  him,  and  in 
order  to  regain  his  room  it  would  be  necessary 
to  ring  the  bell  and  summon  the  servants  ;  then 
his  folly  would  be  made  known  in  an  instant, 
and  lead  to  further  trouble. 

"  It  must  be  done  now,"  he  murmured  sadly. 
"I  dare  not  return,  so  I  must  hurry  on  to 
Richmond.  Even  if  the  cold  were  to  kill  me, 


A   STOEY  FOR   BOYS.  211 


I  would  not  let  Thomas  see  me,  or  guess  what 
I  had  wanted  to  do  and  couldn't." 

So,  buttoning  his  coat  up  tightly  round  his 
throat,  he  dashed  quickly  along,  intending  to 
take  a  cab  whenever  he  found  himself  at  some 
distance  from  Holland  Park. 

Percy's  ideas  of  money  and  its  value  were 
rather  vague,  and  he  imagined  that  a  few 
pounds  would  be  sufficient  to  keep  him  from 
want  for  a  very  long  time. 

But,  although  he  had  not  considered  the 
question  of  ways  and  means  very  deeply,  still 
he  did  know  that  in  order  to  take  a  cab  it  was 
necessary  to  have  ready  money  with  which  to 
pay  his  fare  when  he  reached  his  destination. 
So  all  at  once  he  began  to  wonder  how  much 
he  really  had  in  his  possession. 

His  father  had  always  kept  him  well  supplied 
with  pocket-money,  and  his  purse  was  gener- 
ally pretty  full.  He  remembered  that  only  a 
few  days  before,  he  had  given  him  a  five-pound 
note,  with  which  to  buy  a  mechanical  engine 
that  he  had  seen  and  admired. 

"  I  shall  not  want  that  engine  now,"  he  said 
with  a  groan,  "  for  I  know  —  I  feel  that  I  shall 
never  care  for  anything  again.  A  cab  from 
here  to  Richmond  will  cost  a  good  deal ;  silver 


212  PEECY'S  REVENGE  : 

is  what  I  want.  I  hope  —  oh,  dear,  where  is 
my  purse?  I  have  dropped  it — it  is  not  in  my 
pocket,"  and  Percy  stood  transfixed  with  hor- 
ror, as  the  full  sense  of  his  misfortune  came 
upon  him. 

"What  shall  I  do?  What  shall  I  do  ?  Aunt 
Lucy  would  pay  the  cabman,  I  am  sure  ;  but  I 
could  not  —  I  would  not  ask  her.  Oh,  what  a 
fool  I  have  been  to  leave  home  at  such  an 
hour  —  on  such  a  night.  I  dare  not  go  back  — 
I  dare  not  go  back." 

To  return  home  would  have  been  the  most 
natural  and  the  shortest  way  out  of  his  diffi- 
culty ;  but  his  foolish  pride  rose  up  stronger 
than  ever,  and  prevented  him  once  more  from 
doing  what  was  right. 

So,  heedless  of  the  cutting  wind  he  struggled 
on,  afraid  to  retrace  his  footsteps,  and  unable 
to  make  up  his  mind  to  take  a  cab,  since  he 
must  ask  Mrs.  Brown  to  pay  the  fare.  This 
seemed  an  ignominious  manner  in  which  to 
arrive  at  the  cottage,  and  so  Percy  could  not 
prevail  upon  himself  to  do  it. 

It  was  now  about  seven  o'clock,  and  the 
evening  was  so  cold,  that  in  spite  of  his  warm 
coat  and  muffler,  the  boy  shivered  as  he  went 
along  through  the  badly-lighted  streets. 


A    STORY  FOR   BOYS.  213 

The  day  before,  when  he  and  Hugh  had 
driven  to  Richmond,  the  roads  were  hard  and 
clean ;  but  the  morning  had  brought  a  thaw, 
and,  to  add  to  the  misery  of  this  most  wretched 
night,  the  pavements  were  thick  with  mud. 

And  so  Percy  wandered  sadly  on,  his  feet 
wet  and  cold,  his  head  giddy  from  weakness 
and  want  of  food. 

"I  must  take  a  cab  and  get  Aunt  Lucy  to 
pay  the  man  for  me,"  he  cried,  at  last.  "  I  do 
not  like  to  do  it  but  I  must.  I  can  walk  no 
farther,  and  I  dare  not  go  home.  Yes ;  the 
best  thing  to  do  is  to  take  a  hansom." 

But  now  that  he  was  willing  to  sacrifice  him- 
self and  bear  this  degradation,  there  were  no 
cabs  to  be  seen.  A  feeling  of  despair  came 
over  him,  and  he  grew  so  faint  and  weary  that 
he  longed  to  lie  down  there  and  then  to  rest. 

"Oh,  my  God!"  he  cried,  and  tears  of 
bitter  sorrow  rolled  slowly  down  his  cheeks, 
"  do  not  leave  me  here  to  die  in  the  cold. 
Send  some  one  to  help  me.  I  am  sorry  now, 
oh,  so  sorry  for  my  wicked  conduct.  Give 
me  strength  to  return  to  my  home,  and  I 
will  bear  patiently  any  punishment  or  humilia- 
tion that  my  father  may  think  right  to  inflict 
upon  me.  I  cannot  walk  to  Richmond :  there 


214  PERCY'S  KEVENGE  : 

are  no  cabs  to  be  had ;  and  I  now  see  what 
a  wicked  boy  I  have  been.  Oh,  why  did  I 
leave  my  home  ?  Why  did  I  leave  my  home  ?  " 

Then,  utterly  humbled  and  subdued,  the  boy 
turned  and  walked  wearily  back  towards  Hol- 
land Park,  hoping  and  praying  that  he  might 
have  strength  to  reach  his  father's  house ;  for 
every  step  seemed  as  though  it  must  be  his 
last,  and  he  trembled  lest  he  should  fall  to  the 
ground  and  die  on  the  roadside.  He  had  eaten 
nothing  all  day,  and  as  he  tottered  along  he 
grew  so  giddy  that  he  had  to  lean  for  sup- 
port against  a  lamp-post. 

"  Is  there  no  one  to  help  me  —  no  one  to 
pity  me,"  he  moaned,  gazing  about  him  in 
terror.  "  Am  I  to  die  here  of  cold  and 
hunger?  My  God,  help  me!  help  me!" 

But  there  seemed  little  hope  of  his  prayer 
being  heard.  He  was  standing  at  a  lonely 
part  of  the  road,  and,  although  there  were 
houses  on  every  side,  yet  not  a  creature  passed 
him  by,  and  he  had  neither  strength  nor  cour- 
age to  ring  at  one  of  the  doors  and  ask  for 
assistance. 

It  had  grown  colder  and  colder,  as  the  even- 
ing advanced,  and  at  last  the  snow  came  down 
in  thick,  white  flakes. 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  215 

Poor  Percy  became  numb  and  frozen ;  his 
weak  limbs  refused  to  bear  him  any  longer, 
and,  scarcely  knowing  what  he  did,  he  reeled 
suddenly  forward  and  fell  to  the  ground. 

But,  just  at  this  moment,  a  rumbling  noise 
was  heard  in  the  distance,  and  a  covered  cart 
came  down  the  road  towards  him.  The  driver, 
a  hale  old  fellow  of  about  sixty,  was  carefully 
wrapped  up  in  a  piece  of  sacking,  in  hopes  of 
keeping  the  snow  from  penetrating  his  clothes ; 
for  it  beat  fiercely  in  upon  him  as  he  sat  up  in 
the  front  seat  of  his  cart. 

The  horse  seemed  tired,  and  jogged  slowly 
along,  although  his  master  did  all  he  could  to 
coax  him  into  a  fast  trot. 

As  Percy  heard  the  rattling  of  the  wheels, 
his  heart  gave  a  bound,  and  raising  his  head 
with  much  difficulty,  he  called  out  in  a  weak 
voice: 

"Help!  help!  Do  not  —  oh,  do  not  leave 
me  to  die  here  in  the  cold ! " 

At  the  sound  of  this  piteous  prayer,  the 
driver  stopped  his  horse,  and,  springing  from 
his  seat,  caught  the  fainting  boy  in  his  arms. 

Lifting  him  into  the  cart,  he  laid  him  ten- 
derly on  a  bundle  of  straw,  and  gazed  sadly  at 
the  pale,  pinched  face,  and  draggled  golden  hair. 


216  PERCY'S  KEVENGE  : 

Percy  was  now  quite  unconscious,  and  lay  as 
white  and  still  as  though  he  were  dead. 

"  A  poor  little  hunchback,  and  a  gentleman's 
son,"  remarked  the  old  man,  with  a  sigh. 
« '  But  how  comes  he  to  be  in  such  a  plight  ? 
God  grant  that  he  may  not  be  dead ;  but  he 
looks  very  like  it.  Dear,  dear,  but  it's  a  hard 
night  for  a  delicate  lad  like  this  to  be  out. 
Truly  we  live  in  strange  times ;  "  and,  taking 
his  reins,  he  whipped  up  his  horse  to  his  fastest 
possible  speed. 

In  a  short  time  the  old  man  arew  up  at  the 
door  of  a  wayside  inn,  and  jumping  down  from 
his  seat  lifted  the  still  unconscious  boy  in  his 
arms ;  and  leaving  the  horse  and  cart  to  take 
care  of  themselves,  hurried  into  the  house  and 
laid  the  frozen  child  in  front  of  a  blazing  fire. 

The  landlady,  a  thin,  sharp-nosed  woman, 
with  a  shrill  voice,  looked  up  in  astonishment 
and  disgust,  as  the  snow-covered  man  appeared 
bearing  his  strange  burden,  which  he  deposited 
without  leave  or  license  upon  her  clean,  bright 
carpet. 

"What  is  that,  Joe  Bradley?"  she  ques- 
tioned angrily. 

"  A  little  boy,  ma'am,  that  I  found  nearly 
dead  upon  the  roadside." 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  217 

"  Some  miserable  beggar,  I  suppose,  who 
was  too  proud  to  go  to  the  House,  or  too  lazy 
to  work!" 

"  No,  ma'am,  you  are  quite  wrong,"  said  Joe, 
rubbing  the  boy's  hands  within  his  own.  "  He 
is  a  gentleman's  son,  or  I'm  much  mistaken." 

"  Well,  gentleman  or  beggar,  Joe  Bradley,  I 
wish  you  had  taken  him  to  the  kitchen,"  she 
answered,  sharply.  "He's  sopping  with  wet 
and  covered  with  snow  and  mud.  But,  of 
course,  you  think  it  doesn't  matter  at  all  about 
spoiling  my  new  carpet." 

"  Get  me  some  brandy,  ma'am,  quick,  ma'am/' 
cried  the  old  driver,  pulling  off  the  boy's 
muffler  and  coat  as  fast  as  his  numb  fingers 
would  allow  him.  "He  may  die  if  we  don't 
do  something  for  him  at  once  ;  he's  just  alive, 
poor  chap,  and  no  more.  He's  that  cold  and 
stiff,  that  only  his  heart's  beatin'  the  least  bit  in 
the  world,  I'd  say  he  was  dead  this  minute." 

"Xot  he.  He's  only  in  a  faint  and  will  come 
round  fast  enough.  Lef  s  hope  he'll  pay  for  the 
carpet  he  has  spoiled,"  she  cried,  angrily ;  and 
she  bounded  out  of  the  room. 
•  "  If  I  had  not  been  so  frightened,"  muttered 
the  old  man,  as  he  drew  off  Percy's  wet  boots 
and  stockings,  "  I'd  have  gone  on  with  him  to 


218  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

Richmond,  where  a  true,  kind-hearted  woman 
would  have  welcomed  the  poor  lad  and  done 
her  best  to  bring  him  round.  It's  little  this  one 
cares  for  but  her  carpets  and  her — but,  mercy 
me,  her  bark's  worse  nor  her  bite,  I  see, 
for  here  she  comes  with  the  brandy  and  a 
nice  warm  blanket  to  wrap  the  poor  fellow  up 
in." 

The  old  driver  knelt  beside  the  unconscious 
boy,  and  taking  the  brandy  from  the  woman's 
hand  poured  a  few  drops  down  his  throat ;  then 
very  gently  rubbed  his  hands  and  bathed  his 
face  and  head. 

And,  at  last,  to  his  great  joy,  the  white  lips 
quivered  slightly,  and,  with  a  sigh,  Percy 
opened  his  eyes  and  looked  about  him  in  sur- 
prise. But  it  was  only  for  an  instant ;  the 
brandy  had  done  its  work ;  the  weary  eyelids 
drooped  and  closed,  and  he  fell  fast  asleep. 

"  Now  he'll  do ;  and  thank  God  for  it,"  cried 
honest  Joe.  "  It  would  have  broken  my  heart 
if  the  poor  child  had  died  ;  "and,  in  his  delight, 
he  shook  the  landlady  by  the  hand,  thanking 
her  vehemently  for  having  helped  him  to  save 
the  little  wanderer's  life. 

"You're  a  good  man,  Joe  Bradley,"  she  said, 
softened  in  spite  of  herself  by  his  kindly  man- 


A    STORY   FOR    BOYS.  219 

ner ;  and  if  you  had  not  spoilt  rny  new  car- 
pet"— 

"  Now,  don't  you  fret  about  your  carpet, 
ma'am,  for  it  isn't  one  bit  the  worse,"  cried 
Joe,  "and,  dear  bless  you,  you  and  I  mustn't 
quarrel  over  a  carpet  after  so  many  long  years 
of  friendship ;  but  where  can  I  put  the  lad,  so 
that  he  may  sleep  in  peace  and  quiet  for  the 
rest  of  the  night  ?  " 

' '  Roll  him  up  in  the  blanket  and  put  him  on 
the  sofa,  and  I'll  get  a  bed  ready  for  him  as 
soon  as  I  can,"  she  said,  more  kindly.  "  I'll 
make  him  comfortable  for  the  sake  of  our  old 
friendship.  You  are  a  good  Christian,  and 
you've  taught  me  a  lesson  to-night." 

The  good-hearted  old  man  was  delighted  to 
hear  her  words,  and  thanked  her  warmly  for 
her  kind  assistance. 

"  You'll  never  have  cause  to  regret  this 
night,  ma'am,"  he  said  solemnly.  "  The  Lord 
will  surely  bless  you,  for  taking  in  this  poor 
lad  and  saving  his  life." 

"  It's  not  much  saving  I'd  have  done,  only 
for  you,  Joe,  I'm  afraid.  But  now  I  must 
go  and  look  after  his  bed ;  "  and  she  hurried 
away. 

"Her  bark  is  truly  worse  nor  her  bite," 


220  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

thought  Joe,  with  a  smile.  "An'  thank  God 
that  it  is  so ;  but,  indeed,  there  are  many  that 
way  —  but  it's  well  to  know  —  it's  well  to 
know." 

Then  rolling  the  warm  blanket  round  the 
sleeping  boy,  this  good  Samaritan  laid  him 
gently  on  the  sofa,  lowered  the  gas,  and  went 
out  to  the  yard  to  look  after  his  horse  and  make 
him  comfortable  for  the  night. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

IX   THE    PARLOR    OF   THE    RED   LION   INN. 

PERCY  slumbered  peacefully  on  the  sofa, 
and  when  Joe  came  back  from  the  stables 
he  felt  sorry  to  disturb  him. 

'*  The  lad  seems  very  comfortable,"  he  said ; 
"  but  still  I  would  like  to  get  him  tucked  up 
in  a  bed  for  the  night." 

"  Well,  the  bed  won't  be  ready  for  awhile, 
Joe,"  replied  the  landlady.  *;  I  told  the  girl 
to  air  the  sheets  well  and  make  everything 
snug.  But  come  along  now  and  have  a  bit  of 
supper.  You  must  be  real  hungry  after  your 
long  drive.  The  boy  won't  wake  up  for  many 
hours,  so  you  need  not  be  uneasy  about  him." 

"  I  am  very  hungry,  ma'am,  and  what  is 
more,  I'm  uncommon  dry,"  replied  Joe,  with  a 
smile ;  "  an'  if  you  think  there'll  be  no  one 
comin'  in  to  disturb  the  lad,  I'll  go  with  you 
right  willin'." 

(221) 


222  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

' '  Disturb  him  ?  Law  bless  you  !  there'll  be 
no  one  comin'  in  such  a  night  as  this.  Folks 
is  only  too  glad  to  stop  at  home  when  the  snow 
comes  down.  But  if  a  stray  traveller  did  come 
in  he  wouldn't  eat  the  boy  ;  an'  he's  too  sound 
asleep  to  wake  up  easily.  So  come  along  and 
take  a  pick." 

"  Very  well,  ma'am,  since  you  are  so  good  as 
to  ask  me,  I'll  go  with  you  if  you'll  just  lead 
the  way,"  said  Joe ;  and,  with  a  kindly  glance 
at  the  sleeping  boy,  he  followed  the  landlady 
out  of  the  room. 

Now  the  mistress  of  the  Red  Lion  could  be 
very  pleasant  when  she  chose,  and,  what  was 
more  to  the  purpose,  her  larder  was  always 
well  filled ;  so  honest  Joe  rarely  fared  so  well 
as  when  invited  to  join  Mrs.  Nipper  at  her  cosy 
table. 

The  hot  stew,  for  which  the  Red  Lion  was 
famous,  tasted  delicious  after  his  cold  drive 
from  town ;  the  beer  was  good  and  strong,  the 
room  warm  and  snug ;  and  so,  ere  long  the  old 
man  grew  drowsy,  and,  forgetting  his  little 
charge  upon  the  sofa,  fell  fast  asleep  in  Mrs. 
Nipper's  comfortable  arm-chair. 

"  Poor  old  fellow,  he's  fairly  done  out,"  said 
the  landlady,  with  a  smile.  "  That's  the  best- 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  223 

hearted  man  I  know  anywhere,  so  I'll  just 
leave  him  to  enjoy  his  nap  in  peace,"  and  away 
she  bustled  to  get  the  rooms  ready  for  the 
night. 

Joe's  sleep  was  long  and  undisturbed,  Mrs. 
Nipper's  occupation  of  an  interesting  and 
somewhat  lengthy  description ;  so  Percy  was 
left  for  many  hours  in  peaceful  possession  of 
the  parlor. 

But  suddenly,  as  the  clock  struck  eleven, 
the  lad  was  rudely  wakened  by  loud  shouting 
outside,  and  a  moment  later  three  men  pushed 
their  way  into  the  room,  shaking  the  snow 
from  their  coats,  and  calling  to  the  servant  for 
brandy. 

.  The  girl  implored  them  to  go  away  to  another 
room,  as  this  was  the  landlady's  best  parlor, 
and  that  she  would  be  angry  at  having  her 
carpet  spoiled  by  their  muddy  boots. 

But  the  men  laughed  at  the  idea,  and  told 
her  to  be  off  and  bring  the  brandy  at  once. 

Too  much  frightened  to  urge  them  any  more, 
Peggy  ran  away,  and  soon  returned  with  a 
large  bottle  and  some  glasses ;  these  she  placed 
on  the  table,  and  fled  off  again,  as  fast  as  she 
could. 

Drawing  their  chairs   to  the  fire,  the  men 


224  PERCY'S  HEVENGE  : 


stuck  their  dirty  boots  against  the  shining 
bars,  and,  laughing  wildly,  declared  they  would 
soon  make  the  old  lady's  grate  nice  and  clean. 

They  were  rough,  uncouth-looking  creatures, 
and  Percy  trembled  with  fear  as  the  door 
closed  upon  Peggy,  and  he  found  himself  alone 
with  them. 

But  they  did  not  see  him ;  they  sat  with 
their  backs  well  turned  to  the  sofa,  and  so 
long  as  he  kept  quiet  they  were  not  likely  to 
find  out  that  he  was  there. 

As  the  brandy  went  round,  they  grew  talka- 
tive ;  and  Percy  soon  discovered,  from  the 
stories  they  told,  that  they  were  men  who 
went  about  from  place  to  place,  stealing  and 
thieving  whenever  they  could  get  the  chance. 

"It  strikes  me,  Jimmy,"  said  one  of  the 
ruffians,  "that  you're '  looking  a  bit  down  in 
the  mouth.  I  wras  told  yer  were  doin'  a  fine 
business,  but  yer  don't  look  like  it." 

"  No  more  I  do,"  said  Jimmy,  sadly,  "  for 
I'm  in  a  bad  way.  Times  is  very  bad  for  men 
of  our  perfession.  Vot  with  all  the  new  in- 
ventions of  locks  and  chains,  an'  the  close 
watching  of  them  perlicemen,  there's  no  gettin' 
into  a  genelman's  'ouse  where  there's  lots  iv 
silver  an'  jewillery." 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  225 

"  Right  yer  are,  Jimmy,"  answered  one  of 
his  friends,  a  big  burly  fellow,  with  flashing 
black  eyes  and  hooked  nose.  "  But  I  had  a 
rare"  piece  of  good  luck  this  mornin'  without 
puttin'  myself  'bout  or  givin'  myself  hany 
trouble  at  all." 

"  Now,  then,  none  o'  yer  long  yarns,  Moses, 
but  tell  us  right  off  wot  yer  got,"  cried  the 
others,  impatiently. 

**  Well,  then,  yer  must  know  that  I've  found 
a  young  'oman  wot's  uncommon  fond  o'  me," 
he  answered,  stroking  his  chin  complacently. 

"An'  who  cares  whether  yer  'ave  or  not?" 
cried  Jimmy.  "  Leave  the  young  'oman  alone 
an'  tell  us  wot  yer  got  an'  where  you  got  it 
from." 

"Not  so  fast,  my  friend  —  not  so  fast," 
replied  Moses,  sipping  his  brandy.  "  If  yer 
won't  let  me  tell  my  story  my  own  way  —  I 
won't  tell  it  at  all,  so  " — 

"Well,  go  on  then.  But  don't  sit  jawrin' 
there  all  night,"  cried  the  others,  for  they  were 
all  very  curious  to  hear  his  tale. 

"Well,  then,  as  I  said  afore — I've  a  young 
'oman,"  continued  Moses,  "an'  she's  a  rare 
nice  gal  is  my  Mary  Hann,  an'  wot's  more  she 
lives  with  a  rich  lady  wot's  got  lots  o'  diamonds 


226  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

and  jewels  —  an'  my  Mary  Hann  is  from  the 
country,  an'  she's  nice  an'  soft  like  an  " — 

"  Yer  a  lucky  dawg,  Moses,"  cried  his  friends  ; 
"  for  if  she's  nice  an'  soft  she'll  give  yer  a 
helpin'  an'  then  —  an'  where  there's  diamonds 
and" — 

"  Don't  hinterrupt  me,  genelmen,  or  I  won't 
tell  you  no  more,"  answered  Moses,  "  and  I've 
a  rare  good  story  to  tell  yer,  if  yer'll  only 
listen." 

"Why,  man,  we're  all  hears  —  so  be  quick 
with  yer  story ;  for  that  old  warmint,  Mrs. 
Nipper,  will  be  turnin'  us  hout  in  a  few  minutes, 
I'll  swaar." 

"  Eight  yer  are,  Jimmy,  so  I'll  come  to  the 
pint  in  the  twinklin'  of  a  heye."  And  taking 
another  glass  of  brandy  he  smacked  his  lips, 
and  went  on  with  his  story. 

"  Well,  yer  must  know  that  my  Mary  Hann 
'as  been  stayin'  with  her  missis  for  sometime 
back,  at  Olland  Park,  and  it's  there  I  come  to 
know  my  pritty  dear.  Well,  in  that  'ouse  lives 
Sir  Enery  Eandall,  a  rich  an'  great  genelman, 
wot  made  'eaps  an'  'eaps  of  money  in  trade." 

On  hearing  his  father's  name,  Percy  started 
up,  and  straining  every  nerve,  tried  to  catch 
the  man's  words ;  but  this  was  not  at  all  easy, 


A   STORY    FOR   BOYS.  227 

as  he  dropped  his  voice  from  time  to  time 
almost  to  a  whisper. 

"  Xow  'is  son,"  continued  Moses,  "  a  queer 
'unchback  of  a  chap,  'ates  my  Mary  Hann's 
lady,  an'  wants  to  frighten  her  hout  of  the 
'oose,  so  wot  do  you  think  'e  does?  Yerll 
never  guess.  Why  pretends  that  some  genel- 
men  of  our  perfession  got  in  by  the  winder,  'an 
throws  the  siller  about,  an'  " — 

**Oh,  golly,  wot  a  pity  we  'adn't  been 
there ! "  cried  Jimmy  and  his  comrade,  in  a 
breath. 

"  Thaf  s  just  wot  I  said  to  my  Mary  Hann ; 
but  listen.  The  young  chap  runs  out  screeehin' 
through  the  'ouse  —  callin'  murder  an'  thieves, 
an'  down  comes  'is  par  an'  the  butler,  with  guns 
an'  pistols ;  so  we'd  'ave  got  it  'ot  I'm  thinkin' ! " 

"  Unless  we'd  got  hout  by  the  winder,"  sug- 
gested Jimmy. 

"  Oh,  yes,  but  yer  might  'ave  been  nabbed," 
said  Moses.  "But  I've  got  far  better  nor 
siller,  without  runnin'  no  risk  or  danger ;  for  in 
the  confusion  an'  hurry,  my  Mary  Hann  remem- 
bered Moses,  and  when  my  lady  ran  hout  of 
her  chamber  to  see  wot  was  hup,  she  slipped  in 
by  a  little  side-door,  an'  picked  this  little  trifle 
off  her  missis's  dressing  table,"  and  far  above 


228  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 


his  head  he  held  a  beautiful  diamond  star  that 
flashed  and  glittered  as  the  light  fell  upon  it. 

With  great  difficulty  the  boy  on  the  sofa 
suppressed  a  scream,  for  there  in  the  ruffian's 
hand  was  the  missing  star,  the  loss  of  which, 
together  with  her  bracelet,  had  so  enraged  his 
aunt,  and  caused  her  to  accuse  poor  Hugh  of 
heading  the  band  of  robbers  supposed  to  have 
entered  his  father's  house  the  night  before. 

"Oh,"  thought  Percy  to  himself,  "how 
wicked  !  how  very  wicked  I  have  been !  For 
had  it  not  been  for  my  wish  to  revenge  myself 
on  Aunt  Lydia,  Mary  Ann  would  never,  never 
have  thought  of  stealing  those  diamonds." 

The  men  by  the  fire  were  loud  in  their  praise 
of  the  brilliants,  and  gazed  at  them  with 
covetous  eyes.  Each  one  longed  to  have  them 
for  his  own,  and  would  gladly  have  wrested 
them  from  his  comrade's  hand  had  he  dared  to 
do  so.  But  Moses  was  a  strong  fellow,  and 
was  pretty  certain  to  have  a  knife  or  pistol 
somewhere  about  him.  So  they  were  obliged 
to  content  themselves  with  looking  at  the 
precious  stones  from  a  distance,  whilst  the 
lucky  possessor  went  on  with  his  tale. 

"I'm  glad  to  see  yer  can  look  at  a  thing  'o 
that  kind  an'  not  go  a  cove  tin'  of  it,  my 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  229 

friends,"  he  remarked,  with  a  chuckle;  "an' 
yer'll  be  glad  to  'ear  that  no  one  in  the  'ouse 
hever  thinks  of  suspectin'  my  Mary  Hann,  an 
that  the  perlice  is  hafter  quite  a  different  party 
altogether — a  young  chap,  called  Hugh  Brown, 
a  newly  discovered  poor  relation  of  Sir 
Enery's,  wat  he  took  in  to  be  a  companion  to 
his  son.  I'm  goin'  to  pop  this  star  straight  into 
pawn  to-morrow  mornin'  and  Mary  Hann's  to 
slip  the  ticket  in  among  the  youngster's  clothes 
in  'is  drawers,  the  minute  'e  comes  back  to 
'Olland  Park ;  then  all  the  danger'll  be  over  for 
us,  an'  'e'll  be  nabbed  an'  locked  up  straight 
away." 

"  Yer  a  darned  lucky  chap,"  cried  his 
friends.  "But  don't  forget  yer  pals  when 
yer  get  that  'ere  money." 

"  No  fear  'o  that,  my  lads,  an'  if  yer'll  come 
along  to  my  diggin's  to-morrow  night,  I'll  give 
yer  as  good  a  supper  as  ever  yer  'card  tell  on." 

"  We'll  be  with  yer  sharp  an'  sure.  But 
will  yer  kindly  let  us  know  where  ye're  livin' 
now?"  said  Jimmy,  laughing.  "Old  Biddy 
Carew  told  me  she  wouldn't  let  yer  into  'er 
'ouse  no  more." 

"  So  she  did,  the  old  warmint ;  cause  I  didn't 
pay  for  one  week.  But  she'll  be  right  down 


230  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

sorry  when  she  'ears  I'm  growin'  rich.  But  not 
a  penny  she'll  ever  get  for  turnin'  me  hout." 

"Ha,  ha,  ha,"  laughed  the  men.  "That's 
the  way  to  treat  them ;  but  tell  us  where's 
your  crib  now  ?  " 

"Well,  for  the  present,  I'm  in  a  nice  little 
oest  at  22  Great  Egerton  Street,  an'  if  yer'll 
come  there  to-morrow  night,  we'll  'ave  some 
sport.  But  let's  be  off  on  our  tramp.  I  'ear 
voices  comin'  along  the  passage  —  a  man's 
voice,  too.  Maybe  the  old  lady's  got  in  the 
perlice,"  and,  dashing  off  the  remains  of  his 
brandy,  Moses  rushed  out  of  the  room,  and 
was  quickly  followed  by  his  two  companions. 

As  the  door  closed  behind  them,  Percy 
jumped  up,  and  began  to  button  his  jacket, 
and  look  about  for  his  boots. 

All  his  pride  and  anger,  his  bitter  thoughts 
and  wicked  longings  for  revenge,  were  gone 
now,  and  his  one  idea  was  to  save  Hugh  from 
the  humiliation  of  an  arrest. 

But  he  was  so  weak  and  faint,  that  he  was 
obliged  to  lie  down  helplessly  on  the  sofa ; 
this  pained  him  deeply,  just  when  he  wanted 
to  be  up  and  away  on  his  errand  of  mercy. 

The  tears  rolled  down  his  pale  cheeks,  as  he 
thought  of  the  misery  he  was  bringing  upon 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  231 

his  dear  cousin,  and  in  an  agony  of  grief  he 
prayed  aloud,  calling  on  God  to  help  him,  to 
show  him  some  way  out  of  this  strange  place, 
so  that  he  might  get  to  Richmond  in  time 
to  save  Hugh. 

As  the  three  men  went  out  of  the  inn,  they 
shut  the  front  door  with  such  a  bang  that  Mrs. 
Nipper  came  running  down  to  see  what  was  the 
matter ;  and  Joe  jumped  out  of  his  chair  with 
a  bound,  thinking  the  world  must  be  coming  to 
an  end. 

"  Has  that  young  prodigal  of  yours  been 
running  off  with  himself?"  inquired  the  land- 
lady, as  she  ran  against  the  old  man  in  the  hall. 

"Not  he,  indeed,"  cried  Joe.  "Why,  he 
hadn't  the  strength  to  crawl  over  the  floor — 
let  alone  run  off  in  the  snow,  poor  lad." 

"  Well,  there  hasn't  been  a  creature  in  this 
house  to-night,  an'  the  door  banged  like 
thunder.  I  mistrusted  that  boy  from  the  first, 
an'  it's  my  belief  he's  after  no  good.  Mr. 
Jack,  the  policeman,  was  just  tellin'  Peggy  at 
the  back  door  there,  that  there's  some  very  bad 
characters  goin'  about.  There  was  a  set  of 
burglars,  he  says,  a  friend  told  him  about  this 
mornin',  that  got  into  a  grand  house  in  Hol- 
land Park  last  night,  and  stole  things  right  and 


232  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

left,  frightened  the  life  out  of  the  gentleman's 
son,  and  did  all  kinds  of  dreadful  things." 

"  Indeed,"  said  Joe,  "  that's  very  bad  news  ; 
and  if  I  was  you  I'd  keep  my  front  door 
barred  and  bolted." 

"  Quite  right,  Joe,  but  just  you  go  an'  look 
after  that  lad.  I  shouldn't  at  all  wonder  if  he 
was  one  of  those  robbers,  and  was  only  sham- 
ming weakness  to  get  into  a  decent  house  for 
the  night." 

"  Mrs.  Nipper,  ma'am,  don't  talk  so  much 
nonsense,"  said  the  old  man,  severely.  "I'm 
surprised  to  hear  it  from  a  woman  of  your 
years." 

"Well,"  she  said,  firmly,  "you'll  soon  find 
I'm  right.  That  boy's  a  bad  lot,  or  my  name's 
not  Susan  Nipper." 

But  kind-hearted  Joe  did,  not  stay  to  argue  the 
subject,  and  hurried  away  to  the  parlor ;  for,  in 
spite  of  his  indignant  words  to  the  contrary,  he 
began  to  fear  that  the  boy  had,  perhaps,  rushed 
out  again  into  the  night.  He  was  quickly  re- 
assured, however,  for  before  he  opened  the 
door,  the  sound  of  Percy's  sad  voice  fell  upon 
his  ear  ;  the  heavy  sobbing  and  fervent  prayers 
touched  the  man  to  the  heart,  and  filled  him 
with  pity. 


A   STORY   FOB   BOYS.  233 

As  he  entered  the  room,  the  boy  staggered 
to  his  feet,  and  in  broken  accentc  implored  him 
to  take  him  on  to  Richmond  at  once. 

"But,  niy  poor  lad,"  said  Joe,  kindly,  "  it 
is  too  late.  It  is  now  near  twelve,  and  we 
could  not  get  to  Richmond  before  half-past 
one ;  for  my  old  horse  is  tired,  and  it  is  snow- 
ing hard.  And,  indeed,  you  are  too  weak  and 
ill  to  go  on." 

"  Never  mind  me,"  cried  Percy.  "  If  I  die 
to-morrow  it  matters  very  little.  But  I  must 
get  on  and  save  dear  Hugh  from  prison." 

"  Save  Hugh  from  prison !  Why,  who  is 
Hugh?  and  who  is  going  to  put  him  in 
prison?"  asked  the  old  man,  humoring  the  boy, 
but  feeling  sure  that  his  mind  was  wandering. 

"  Hugh  Brown  is  my  cousin,  my  best  and 
dearest  friend.  And  through  my  wicked  con- 
duct he  will  be  arrested  and  put  into  prison, 
if"— 

"Hugh  Brown!  Hugh  Brown  going  to 
prison  !  Good  little  Hugh  !  The  best  son  and 
kindest  lad  that  ever  breathed ;  but,  of  course, 
we  do  not  mean  the  same  Hugh ;  that  is  not 
likely.  The  one  I  know  of,  lives  in  Holland 
Park  with  his  cousin,  a  poor  little  humpbacked 
gentleman.  But  —  I — you  " —  and  Joe's  hon- 


234  PERCY'S  UEVENGK  : 

est  face  flushed,  and  his  eyes  grew  sad,  as  he 
gazed  at  the  little  figure  before  him. 

' '  Yes ;  I  am  the  poor  little  humpbacked 
gentleman.  I  love  my  cousin,  Hugh,  dearly ; 
and  yet,  because  I  tried  to  be  revenged  on  a 
person  whom  I  dislike,  he  is  to  be  arrested 
and  annoyed  unless  I  arrive  in  time  to  prevent 
it." 

And  then  Percy  proceeded  to  tell  the  old 
man  how  his  present  misfortunes  had  come 
about.  He  told  him  how  he  had  pretended 
that  robbers  had  broken  into  his  father's  house  ; 
how  his  aunt  had  lost  her  jewels  ;  and  how  he 
had  overheard  the  man  telling  how  and  when 
they  had  been  stolen,  and  the  plot  that  had 
been  laid  for  Hugh's  ruin. 

"  I  must  warn  Hugh,"  he  cried,  with  tears 
in  his  eyes,  "  and  urge  him  to  fly.  I  should 
die  of  grief  if  he  were  put  in  prison,  even  for 
an  hour.  So,  please,  old  man,  take  me  on  to 
Richmond  before  it  is  too  late." 

But  Joe  shook  his  head. 

"  My  child,  there  would  be  no  use  going  on 
to  Richmond  now :  it  is  too  late  already ;  for 
if,  as  you  tell  me,  all  this  happened  early  to- 
day, then,  probably,  your  aunt  sent  to  arrest 
the  boy  at  once." 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  235 

"  No,  no ;  I  am  sure  she  would  not  do  that. 
Papa  would  not  allow  her." 

"  "Well,  then,  the  best  chance  of  saving 
Master  Hugh  is  to  return  home  now  and  "  — 

"Xo;  that  would  be  foolish  and  impos- 
sible," cried  Percy,  wildly.  "I  could  not  go 
home ;  and  it  would  be  much  better  to  warn 
Hugh  and  let  him  run  away.  Those  men  said 
the  police  would  be  sent  after  him  soon.  I 
must  tell  him  to  fly." 

"  Master  Hngh  will  never  do  that;  he  is  a 
brave  lad  and  would  rather  face  the  danger 
than  run  away  from  it.  He  is  innocent  we 
know,  and  he  knows  himself,  so  why  should  he 
behave  like  a  coward?" 

"But  it  would,  be  only  for  a  day  or  two, 
till  things  were  explained,"  said  Percy. 

"  I  know  he'd  never  run  away,"  answered 
the  old  man  firmly.  "  And  if  you  love  him, 
as  you  say  you  do,  you  must  do  what  you  can 
to  save  him.  There  is  only  one  thing  to  be 
done,  and  that  is,  go  back  to  your  father's 
house,  tell  him  all  you  have  heard  and  seen  to- 
night, and  he  will  save  Hugh,  I  am  sure,  for 
I  know  he  is  a  good  and  honorable  gentleman." 

To  this  Percy  made  no  reply,  but  sat  for 
some  moments  in  silence,  his  head  buried  in 


230  PERCY'S  KEVENGE  : 

his  hands,  his  whole  body  trembling  with  emo- 
tion. 

At  last  he  raised  his  face,  which  was  deadly 
pale,  and  putting  his  hand  into  the  old  man's, 
said  huskily,  — 

"  You  have  been  a  true  friend  to  me  to- 
night. You  have  saved  me  from  certain  death  ; 
and  now,  I  believe  you  wish  to  save  me  from 
never-ending  remorse.  I  will  go  back  to  my 
father ;  if  you  can  take  me  now,  do,  and  God 
bless  you." 

"That  is  right.  That  is  brave  and  true," 
cried  Joe.  "  I'll  take  you  back  to  Holland 
Park  as  fast  as  I  can ;  for  Master  Hugh  is  a 
great  favorite  of  mine,  and  I'd  dearly  love  to 
save  him  from  harm." 

"  Do  you  know  Hugh  long?"  asked  Percy. 

"  Not  long  if  you  reckon  by  months,  for  I 
only  know  him  about  six.  But  since  the  even- 
ing when  I  took  home  his  poor  father  in  a 
faintin'  condition  I  have  loved  that  boy.  Bless 
his  dear,  good,  warm  little  heart." 

"Oh,  are  you  the  kind  old  man  who  carried 
poor  Uncle  Philip  home  ?  "  cried  Percy,  eagerly. 
"  Hugh  has  often  told  me  how  good  you  were 
to  them  all." 

"  Good,  indeed  !"  he  replied  ;  "  it's  but  little 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  237 

I  could  do  for  them  then  ;  an'  now  that  I  have 
some  money  they've  found  their  rich  friends, 
and  don't  want  my  help.  When  I  was  ill  an' 
laid  up  with  rheumatics,  Mrs.  "Brown  was 
that  kind  an'  looked  after  me  so  that  —  but 
there,  it  makes  me  cry  to  think  of  it,"  and  he 
dashed  his  sleeve  across  his  eyes.  "  Then, 
when  my  son  in  North  Carolina,  sent  me  home 
money,  so  that  I  needn't  work  no  more,  Mrs. 
Brown  had  grown  rich  and  didn't  want  nothing 
from  me." 

"Have  you  come  into  a  fortune,  then?" 
asked  Percy,  absently ;  for  his  thoughts  were 
far  away,  and  he  took  but  little  interest  in  the 
old  man's  story. 

"  Well,  not  exactly  a  fortune,  leastways  not 
to  the  likes  of  you  or  your  father ;  but  a  com- 
fortable bit  of  money  to  an  old  fellow  like  me. 
I  used  to  drive  a  cart  and  deliver  parcels  for 
Messrs.  Toogood  &  Co. ;  now  I  do  it  on  my 
own  account.  I  bought  my  cart  and  my  horse, 
an'  I  fetch  and  carry  for  a  few  good  customers 
of  my  own.  In  this  way  I  am  my  own  master ; 
and  if  I  feel  unwell  and  stay  at  home  for  a  day, 
or  go  to  bed  early,  why  nobody  bothers  me. 
I  was  going  on  to  Richmond  with  a  lot  of  things 
for  Mrs.  Brown,  when  I  found  you  on  the  road, 


i     *  FHBCT*S 


and  pot  op  here  for  the  right.    Bat  it  seems 

ta  »c  Fre  been  Tamin*  toa  long  about  my  own 
aCurs,  so  left  harry  np  and  lie  off.  I'd  give 
an  my  money  from  Xoiih  &rofina  to  find  that 
thief,  and  dear  Marfer  Bfcgk  from  each  a 
charge.  M  do  it  yet  or  my  name's  not  Joe 
Bradley;"  and  taming  away  abruptly,  he  hor- 
riri  .  .-  :'-;.:  ::  .... 

With  a  heavy  Ngh,  Percy  rose  from  the  sofa 
and  ttegas  to  ptcyMC  for  hi=s  joorney.  His 
aod  he  heart  beat  wildly  as  he 
die  angry  raeeption  he  wotdd  prolv 
aMy  nceire  at  he  fr&ers  house.  He  was  stffl 
30  faint  and  weak  that  it  took  him  a  long  time 
10  festen  Mi  boots,  and  he  had  only  just  fin- 
iAed  when  Joe  irlaiurnl  to  say  that  the  cart 
-  .-  :•:-.  :  . 

"Here  is  someddng  to  give  you  a  little 
sbogO,*  fee  Mid,  awl  placed  a  basin  of  hot 
soup  before  the  fsunitlied  boy. 

Percy  drank  it  eagerly,  and  then  looked  up 
with  2  grateful  smBe. 

"  Too  hare  been  wonderfolly  good  to  me,"  he 
coed,  **  I  fed  better  now,  so  pray  kt  03  start 
atoaee.  If  we  are  rery  late  my  father  may  be 
in  bed;  and  I  feel  a  great  longing  to  speak  to 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  239 

"  And  so  you  shall,  my  boy.  The  cart  and 
horse  are  waiting  at  the  door,  and  we  can  go 
when  you  wish.  Lean  on  me  and  I  will  help 
you  along.  The  horse  is  a  little  tired,  but  I'll 
make  him  take  us  to  Holland  Park  as  fast  as 
he  can.  So,  don't  be  uneasy,  you'll  see  your 
good  father  to-night,"  said  Joe,  cheerfully; 
then,  putting  his  arm  round  Percy,  he  almost 
carried  him  from  the  room. 

It  was  bitterly  cold,  and  the  poor  lad  shivered 
as  they  passed  out  into  the  night.  The  old 
driver  lifted  him  gently  into  the  cart,  laid  him 
once  more  upon  the  straw,  and  covered  him 
up  with  the  warm  blanket  that  he  had  taken 
from  Mrs.  Nipper's  sofa. 

Then  clambering  up  to  his  seat  in  front  of 
the  vehicle,  he  drove  off  briskly  through  the 
snow  and  sleet. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

SIR   HENRY   RECEIVES    A    SHOCK. 

AS  Percy  fled  from  the  library,  his  father 
uttered  a  deep  groan,  and,  sinking  into 
his  chair,  buried  his  face  in  his  hands.  He 
was  completely  overcome  with  grief,  and  felt 
strangely  bewildered  and  perplexed. 

At  first  the  boy's  story  had  seemed  incredi- 
ble ;  and,  although  he  was  annoyed  that  a  son 
of  his  could  stoop  to  tell  a  lie,  even  for  the 
purpose  of  saving  his  friend,  yet  he  hoped  that 
Percy  would  see  how  wrong  he  was,  acknowl- 
edge his  fault,  and  beg  his  aunt's  pardon. 

Of  Hugh's  innocence  he  had  not  the  slightest 
doubt. 

But,  when  Percy  persisted  in  declaring  him- 
self guilty  of  this  wicked  deceit;  when  he 
almost  swore  that  he  alone  had  laid  and  carried 
out  this  trick,  in  order  to  frighten  Mrs.  Tor- 
rens  and  make  her  leave  the  house,  Sir  Henry's 
anger  and  indignation  knew  no  bounds,  and  he 
(240) 


A    STOUY   FOR   BOYS.  241 

felt  that  no  punishment  would  be  too  great  for 
a  child  who  was  capable  of  acting  in  such  a 
manner. 

In  the  first  flush  of  anger  he  did  not  re- 
member how  deeply  Percy  must  have  suffered 
before  he  brought  himself  to  confess  his  sin  so 
openly.  He  forgot  the  pale  cheeks  and  quiver- 
ing lips,  the  painful  flushing  and  agonized  look 
in  the  blue  eyes  ;  forgot  everything,  in  fact,  but 
that  this  boy,  his  own  son,  had  behaved  so 
shamefully,  and,  in  a  voice  full  of  scorn,  he 
bade  him  quit  his  presence  at  once. 

But,  as  Percy  fled  away  without  a  word, 
struck  dumb  with  terror  at  his  father's  anger, 
Sir  Henry's  heart  sank  low,  and  he  yearned  to 
call  the  culprit  back,  ana  forgive  him  there 
and  then. 

But  there  stood  Mrs.  Torrens,  cold  and 
stern,  ready  to  upbraid  and  reproach  him  if  he 
should  show  any  weakness  in  his  dealings  with 
his  boy ;  there  was  Theo,  the  little  sister, 
shocked  and  horrified  at  her  brother's  conduct ; 
and  there  were  the  servants,  who  had  all  heard 
the  story,  and  wondered  at  the  strange  confes- 
sion. 

And  so  the  kind  father  did  not  dare  to 
pardon  the  lad,  as  he  longed  to  do,  but  felt 


242  PERCY'S  REVENGE  :    . 

bound  to  punish  him  severely,  if  only  to  give 
an  example  of  his  wisdom  and  justice.  For 
this  reason,  then,  he  let  him  go  away  alone  to 
his  room,  hoping,  that  in  a  few  hours,  he  might 
arrive  at  some  fixed  idea  as  to  what  was  the 
right  kind  of  punishment  to  inflict  upon  him. 

The  servants  returned  to  their  work ;  Mrs. 
Torrens  went  off  to  pay  a  round  of  visits ;  but 
the  unhappy  father  remained  in  the  library 
plunged  in  deep  and  anxious  thought. 

Little  Theo  sat  beside  her  father  all  day, 
afraid  to  speak,  and  yet  longing  to  soothe  and 
comfort  him. 

Never  before  had  she  seen  him  so  much 
roused ;  never  before  had  he  spoken  so  harshly 
to  Percy ;  and  now,  as  she  saw  him  sad  and 
silent,  she  thought  he  must  still  be  angry.  So 
she  kept  very  quiet,  weeping  softly  behind  her 
book,  and  wishing  earnestly  that  she  could  find 
some  way  of  putting  things  right  again.  At 
luncheon-time  she  hovered  about  him,  tempting 
him  to  eat  by  bringing  his  favorite  dishes  under 
his  notice.  But  all  her  efforts  were  in  vain, 
and  the  dainties  were  removed  untouched. 

The  day  closed  in,  evening  came  on,  and  still 
the  father  and  daughter  sat  together  in  the 
library. 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  243 

Poor  little  Theo,  worn  out  with  weeping, 
dropped  off  to  sleep  as  the  daylight  waned ; 
but  Sir  Henry's  thoughts  were  too  busy  for 
rest,  and  he  sat  gating  into  the  fire,  with  an 
anxious  look  on  his  face,  quite  unconscious  of 
the  passing  hours. 

At  last,  they  were  roused  by  the  sound  of 
the  gong  for  dinner,  and  they  started  up  and 
went  into  the  dining-room  without  a  word. 

Mrs.  Torrens  was  dining  out ;  and  Theo 
sighed  as  she  thought  of  the  happy  evening 
they  would  have  had  together,  had  it  not  been 
for  Percy's  strange  conduct.  So  long  as  the 
servants  were  in  the  room  the  child  struggled 
bravely  with  her  orrief ;  but  when  they  with- 
drew she  broke  down  completely,  and,  leaning 
her  head  against  the  table,  sobbed  as  if  her 
heart  would  break. 

Sir  Henry  had  been  so  much  occupied  with 
his  own  thoughts  that  he  had  scarcely  noticed 
poor  Theo  all  day;  but  this  sudden  outburst 
alarmed  him  greatly. 

••My  darling  child,"  he  cried,  "you  must 
not  weep  so.  Percy  has  been  wicked,  but  you 
must  not  fret." 

"  Oh,  forgive  him,  papa,"  she  cried ;  "  for- 
give him.  Let  him  come  now.  I  know  he  is 


244  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

very  sorry ;  Percy  always  is,  directly  he  has 
been  wicked." 

"  But  why  doesn't  he  come  and  say  so,  Theo  ? 
I  have  never  been  cruel  to  him  —  he  cannot  be 
afraid  of  me." 

"No,  papa,  no ;  but  you  said  you  could  not 
bear  to  think  of  him  as  your  son,  and  Percy 
is  proud." 

"Proud  —  poor  lad — poor  Percy.  Ay,  so 
he  is ;  proud  and  sensitive ;  and  I  spoke  so 
strongly  in  my  anger  at  his  wild,  wicked  con- 
duct. But  now,  Theo,  I  long  to  take  him  in 
my  arms,  and  tell  him  I  forgive  him,  poor  little 
motherless,  afflicted  boy.  And  yet  I  must 
punish  him  in  some  way,  dear.  Your  aunt 
will  expect  it ;  she  promised  me  not  to  send 
the  police  after  Hugh,  on  condition  that  I  did 
something.  I  know  she  thinks  I  should  punish 
him,  whether  his  story  is  true  or  not ;  and  I 
suppose  she  is  right." 

"But,  papa,  dear,  he  has  been  punished 
enough,  I  am  sure.  Think  of  this  long,  weary 
day,  without  a  creature  to  speak  to.  Think  of 
him  in  his  dark,  lonely  room,  for  no  one  has 
been  near  him.  I  know  —  I  feel  sure  that  he 
is  really  sorry  now." 

"  lie  has  certainly  had  a  long,  dreary  day 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  245 

of  solitude ;  and  if  I  thought  he  was  really 
sorry,  Theo  "  — 

"  I  am  sure  he  is,  papa ;  let  me  go  and  see. 
Let  me  tell  him  now  that  you  have  forgiven 
him  —  pray,  pray  do,"  and  clasping  her  hands 
round  his  neck,  Theo  raised  her  streaming  eyes 
imploringly  to  his  face. 

Deeply  touched  by  the  child's  earnestness, 
Sir  Henry  pressed  her  to  his  heart,  and  kissing 
her  lovingly,  told  "her  to  go  and  find  her 
brother. 

Full  of  joy,  Theo  sprang  from  her  father's 
arms  and  ran  down  the  hall  to  Percy's  room. 

"  Percy,  Percy,"  she  called,  knocking  gently 
at  first,  and  then  a  little  louder ;  receiving  no 
answer  she  thought  he  must  have  fallen  asleep, 
and  in  hopes  of  awakening  him  rattled  the 
handle  somewhat  noisily. 

But,  to  her  surprise,  she  found  the  door  un- 
locked, so  on  she  went  down  the  passage  and 
in  through  the  crimson  curtains.  It  was  very 
dark,  and  she  groped  her  way  carefully  along, 
calling  continually  to  her  brother,  and  wonder- 
ing greatly  where  he  could  be. 

But  no  one  answered ;  and  very  much  amazed 
at  his  silence,  Theo  stepped  out  into  the  hall 
again.  Taking  a  candle  (which  had  been  set 


246  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

on  the  table  ready  for  the  night) ,  she  lighted  it, 
and,  walking  on  tip-toe,  returned  to  Percy's 
room,  where  she  peered  about  cautiously,  ex- 
pecting to  find  him  fast  asleep  in  some-out-of- 
the-way  corner. 

But  Percy  was  nowhere  to  be  seen.  His  bed 
in  the  alcove  was  empty ;  he  was  not  on  the 
sofa,  nor  yet  in  the  arm-chair,  and  Theo's  heart 
beat  wildly  as,  holding  the  light  first  above  her 
head  and  then  down  upon  the  ground,  she 
gazed  round  her  in  every  direction. 

« «  How  very  strange,"  she  cried.  ' '  Where  can 
he  be?  He  would  never,  never  go  up-stairs — 
at  least,  I  am  sure  he  would  not.  He  does  not 
know 'Aunt  Lydia  is  out,  and  he  would  never 
risk  meeting  her.  He  must  be  here  some- 
where," and  she  resumed  her  search,  looking 
anxiously  about  for  some  trace  of  the  missing 
boy. 

At  last  a  nameless  dread,  an  awful  terror 
came  over  her,  and  dropping  her  candle  she 
flew  away  from  the  room,  back  into  her  father's 
presence. 

"  He  has  gone,  papa.  Percy  is  not  in  his 
room,"  she  cried  in  a  trembling  voice.  "I 
cannot  find  him  —  I  cannot  find  him ;  he  has 
gone." 


A    STORY   FOR    BOYS.  247 

"Gone?"  said  her  father,  staring  at  her  in 
astonishment.  "  Gone?  You  must  be  dream- 
ing, child.  Where  could  he  go  to  ?  He  must 
be  in  his  room." 

"  He  is  not  in  his  room,  papa.  I  have  looked 
everywhere,  up  and  down.  He  must  be  gone — 
he  must  be  gone." 

"  What  a  little  goose  you  are,  Theo.  I  sup- 
pose he  has  gone  up  to  the  drawing-room, 
or  to  Hugh's  room.  But  I  will  go  and  help 
you  to  find  him." 

"  Yes,  do  come,  papa,  for  I  feel  so  fright- 
ened ;  I  am  sure  Percy  is  not  in  the  house  —  I 
am,  indeed." 

"  Nonsense,  child;  don't  be  so  foolish,"  said 
her  father,  impatiently ;  but  then  he  added, 
gently :  "  you  are  nervous,  darling,  after  your 
unhappy  day.  Come  along  with  me  and  we 
shall  soon  find  out  Percy's  hiding-place." 

But  Theo  was  right.  Percy  was  not  in  his 
own  room,  nor  in  any  other  room  in  the  house, 
and  the  little  girl  wept  bitterly  at  this  strange 
disappearance  of  her  brother. 

Sir  Henry  was  filled  with  dismay,  and  could 
not  for  some  time  believe  that  his  son  had 
really  fled  from  his  home. 

But  when  he  was  at  last  convinced  that  such 


248  PERCY'S  KEVENGE  : 

was  the  case,  his  grief  and  anguish  were  too 
terrible  to  describe. 

"What  can  I  do,  Theo?  Where  can  the 
boy  have  gone  to?  Why  was  I  so  hard  and 
stern  to  my  poor  erring  child  ?  Why  did  I  not 
go  to  him  and  talk  to  him  kindly?  Where  can 
the  boy  have  gone?  What  will  become  of 
him  on  such  a  night?"  and  the  strong  man 
bent  his  head  and  wept. 

"  Papa,  dear,  do  not  fret  so  much,"  cried 
Theo,  terrified  at  the  sight  of  his  tears.  ' '  Percy 
will  soon  come  home  again.  And  oh,  papa, 
do  you  know  what  I  think  ?  I  am  quite  certain 
Percy  has  gone  off  to  Hugh." 

"My  darling,  that  is  indeed  a  happy 
thought,"  said  her  father,  hopefully.  "  I  will 
send  a  telegram  to  the  Cottage  at  once." 

Handing  over  his  little  daughter  to  the 
tender  care  of  good  old  Bridget,  Sir  Henry 
hastened  off  to  the  post-office  himself,  and  sent 
a  message  to  Hugh  Brown,  at  Richmond. 
Then  he  went  round  the  various  police  stations 
in  the  neighborhood,  and  gave  a  full  description 
of  the  missing  boy.  It  was  late  when  he  at 
last  returned  to  the  house,  and  on  the  hall 
table  he  found  the  answer  to  his  telegram. 

Seizing  it  eagerly,  he  tore  it  open,  glanced 


A    STOET   FOE   BOTS.  249 

over  its  contents;  then,  letting  it  fall  to  the 
ground,  turned  away  with  a  quick,  sharp  gasp 
of  anguish.  His  lips  quivered,  his  face  grew 
ashy  pale,  and,  staggering  into  the  library,  he 
sank  upon  the  sofa,  almost  wild  with  anxiety 
and  grief. 

His  last  hope  for  his  boy's  safety  was  now 
gone ;  and  he  dared  not  think  what  had 
become  of  him  on  such  a  night. 

Hugh's  reply  to  the  telegram  was  only  too 
clear. 

"Have  not  seen  Percy  since  yesterday 
evening.  Know  nothing  of  his  whereabouts,5* 
it  said;  and  the  father's  brain  seemed  all  on 
fire  as  he  read  the  dreadful  words. 

"  Where  can  the  boy  be?  What  in  the  name 
of  heaven  can  have  tempted  him  to  leave  his 
home  ? n  he  murmured,  over  and  over  again. 
"  What  will  become  of  him  without  friends — 
for  Percy  never  made  a  friend  except  Hugh. 
Without  money  —  oh,  God  take  care  of  my 
misguided  child." 

And  the  poor  man's  heart  grew  sick  within 
him  as  his  eyes  fell  on  the  little  purse  that  had 
been  found  on  the  floor  in  the  boy's  room. 
The  sight  of  this  pretty  toy  caused  him  to  start 
and  shudder,  for  it  made  him  realize  very 


250  PERCY'S  HEVENGE  : 

clearly  the  awful  position  in  which  the  poor 
wanderer  might  be  at  that  moment. 

And  so  the  night  wore  slowly  on,  and  at  one 
o'clock  the  unhappy  father  still  paced  up  and 
down  the  library,  seeking  in  vain  to  calm  the 
wild  beating  of  his  heart,  and  longing  for  the 
morning,  that  he  might  resume  his  search  for 
his  child. 

Thoughtful  for  others,  in  the  midst  of  his 
troubles,  Sir  Henry  told  the  servants  to  go  to 
bed,  whenever  his  sister  returned  from  her 
party;  and  he  warned  them  not  to  speak  of 
Percy's  disappearance  in  her  presence,  for  that 
night  at  least. 

His  orders  were  strictly  obeyed,  and  as  Mrs. 
Torrens  swept  up  the  staircase  in  her  silken 
robes,  she  knew  nothing  of  the  cruel  anguish 
that  her  kind-hearted  brother  was  enduring 
alone. 

The  lights  were  all  put  out ;  the  doors  and 
windows  had  long  since  been  bolted  and 
barred ;  but  still  Sir  Henry  remained  in  the 
library,  brooding  sadly  over  the  strange  events 
of  the  day. 

All  had  been  quiet  and  silent  for  a  long 
time,  when  suddenly,  the  soft  tinkling  of  a 
bell  made  the  weary  watcher  start  and  trem- 


A   STOKT   FOE    BOYS.  251 

ble.  He  listened  nervously,  bat  heard  no 
more;  so,  sighing  heavily,  he  resinned  his 
restless  walk  up  and  down  the  room. 

But  again  the  sound  fell  upon  his  ear ;  this 
time  so  loud  that  he  could  no  longer  he  mis- 
taken; Hie  visitor's  bell  rang  clearly  and 
distinctly  through  the  house,  and,  uttering  an 
exclamation  of  surprise,  Sir  Henry  went  down 
the  hall  and  opened  the  door. 

An  old  man,  white  with  snow,  stood  on  the 
steps,  and  out  on  the  road  was  a  covered  cart, 
and  a  poor,  tired-looking  horse. 

"  I  want  to  see  Sir  Henry  Randall,"  said  the 
man,  his  teeth  chattering  with  cold. 

"I  am  Sir  Henry  Randall.  What  do  yon 
want?  Why  do  you  come  ringing  here  at  this 
hour?7*  he  asked,  with  emotion ;  for  he  hoped 
and  yet  dared  not  indulge  in  the  thought,  that, 
perhaps,  this  midnight  visitor  knew  something 
of  the  missing  boy. 

"You  shall  soon  know  what  I  want,  Sir 
Henry,"  said  the  old  man,  and  turning,  he 
waved  his  arm  towards  the  cart. 

But  ere  Sir  Henry  had  time  to  question  him 
further,  a  small  figure  was  seen  springing  from 
the  vehicle,  and  Percy  ran  across  the  snow 
to  the  hall-door.  Throwing  himself  on  the 


252  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

ground,  he  clasped  his  father  round  the  knees, 
and  gazed  at  him  with  streaming  eyes. 

"  Father,  dear  father,  forgive  me, "he  cried  ; 
"  punish  me  as  you  will ;  but,  in  God's  name, 
forgive  your  unhappy  son.'' 

And  his  prayer  was  not  made  in  vain.  For- 
getting his  anger,  his  grief,  and  terrible  suffer- 
ings, Sir  Henry  threw  his  arms  round  his 
child,  and,  whispering  words  of  sweet  forgive- 
ness, pressed  him  to  his  heart. 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

REMORSE. 

SIR  Henry's  happiness  was  indeed  great, 
when  he  saw  his  little  son  standing  before 
him  safe  and  well.  But  for  some  moments  he 
could  scarcely  speak,  and  his  voice  was  low 
and  husky  as  he  assured  the  boy  that  he  for- 
gave him  from  his  heart. 

Percy  was  deeply  touched  by  the  tender 
kindness  of  his  father's  manner,  and  felt  that 
in  all  his  life  he  should  never  be  able  to  repay 
this  love  and  affection  that  he  deserved  so 
little. 

Honest  Joe  melted  into  tears  at  the  sight  of 
Sir  Henry's  emotion,  and  thanked  God  in  his 
own  simple  way  that  he  had  been  allowed  to 
restore  the  young  runaway  to  his  father's 
arms. 

Seeing  them  so  absorbed  in  each  other  he 
turned  away,  and  was  going  forth  to  seek  a 
(253) 


254*  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

lodging  for  himself  and  his  horse ;  but  Percy 
saw  his  movement,  and,  starting  forward,  seized 
hold  of  him  and  would  not  let  him  go. 

"  You  must  not  leave  this  house  to-night. 
Do  not  let  him,  papa ;  he  saved  my  life  this 
evening,  so  we  must  surely  treat  him  well. 
Only  for  him  I  should  now  be  lying  dead  upon 
the  roadside." 

"  God  bless  you,  my  friend,"  cried  Sir 
Henry,  grasping  the  old  driver's  hand.  "  I 
am  truly  grateful  to  you,  and  know  not  how  to 
thank  you  for  bringing  my  boy  back  to  me.  I 
am  sure  that  Percy  will  never  forget  you ;  for 
though  he  is  wild  and  foolish  he  has,  I  believe, 
a  loving  heart.  You  must  stay  here  to-night ; 
it  would  be  quite  impossible  to  get  in  any- 
where so  late." 

"  You  are  very  kind,  sir,"  said  Joe,  twisting 
his  hat  nervously  between  his  fingers;  "but 
you  see  I  don't  deserve  any  thanks.  I  only 
did  my  duty  when  I  brought  the  boy  home.  I 
hope  he'll  never  be  so  silly  as  to  run  away 
again."  ' 

"Never  again,  Joe,  never  again,"  said  Percy, 
kissing  his  father's  hand,  and  looking  up  lov- 
ingly into  his  face.  "I've  been  very  wicked 
and  revengeful ;  but  I  have  suffered  greatly.  I 


A   STORT   FOR  BOYS.  255 

have  learnt  a  lesson  to-night  that  I  don't  think 
I  am  likely  to  forget. n 

"Poor  lad,  poor  lad,"  cried  his  father, 
clasping  him  once  more  to  his  heart.  "  You 
have  suffered  bitterly,  I  am  snre,  and  therefore 
I  cannot  bear  to  scold  you,  though  you  have 
caused  me  more  anguish  than  you  could  ever 
imagine ;  but  come,  let  us  say  no  more  about 
that.  You  are  both  half  frozen  with  cold,  and 
require  to  be  warmed  and  taken  care  of.  I 
must  ring  the  bell  now,  and  wake  up  the  ser- 
vants." 

Sir  Henry  hurried  them  off  to  the  library, 
and.  making  them  sit  down  in  comfortable 
chairs  by  the  fire,  rang  the  bell  loudly. 

They  heard  it  clang  and  echo  through  the 
house,  and,  in  a  few  minutes,  the  old  butler 
came  running  up  to  see  what  was  the  matter. 
He  started  back  in  amazement,  when  his  eyes 
fell  upon  Percy,  seated  in  happy  security  by 
his  father's  side.  This  unexpected  sight  ex- 
plained the  violent  ringing  that  had  so  startled 
and  alarmed  him,  and  his  kindly  face  beamed 
with  pleasure  as  he  noted  his  master's  look  of 
extreme  happiness  and  peace. 

At  a  word  from  Sir  Henry  he  marched  good 
old  Joe  off  to  the  servants*  hall,  where  he  did 


256  PERCY'S    REVENGE  : 

his  best  to  make  him  comfortable,  for  he  felt 
grateful  to  him  for  saving  little  Percy,  whom 
he  dearly  loved,  in  spite  of  his  many  faults. 

The  coachman  was  roused  from  his  slumbers, 
and  the  poor  horse  was,  at  last,  allowed  to  take 
his  rest  in  a  snug  stable,  whilst  the  cart  was 
stowed  away  in  the  coach-house  amongst  the 
carriages. 

A  tempting  supper  was  soon  brought  up  for 
Percy,  but  he  could  not  eat  a  morsel.  He  was 
greatly  excited,  and  hung  about  his  father  as  if 
he  could  not  bear  to  leave  him  for  an  instant. 

Sir  Henry  implored  him  to  go  to  bed  if  he 
was  quite  certain  that  he  could  not  eat;  but 
the  boy  refused  to  do  this,  declaring  that  he 
could  not  rest  until  he  had  told  him  all  his 
adventures. 

"But  don't  you  think  they  might  keep  till 
morning,  Percy,  dear?  You  seem  so  tired  and 
weary." 

•  "  No,  no,  papa ;  I  could  not  rest  until  I  have 
told  you  everything,"  cried  his  son ;  and  then 
he  gave  him  a  hurried  account  of  all  that  had 
occurred  since  the  moment  when  he  had  left 
the  library  in  disgrace. 

"It  is  the  most  extraordinary  story  I  ever 
heard,"  cried  Sir  Henry.  "  To  think  of  the 


A   STORY  FOR  BOYS.  257 

rascal  boasting  of  Mary  Ann's  wickedness. 
But  I  am  gkd  we  have  a  clew,  for -we  may  now 
be  able  to  recover  your  Aunt  Lydia's  jewels  for 
her." 

"I  don't  care  a  pin  about  that,"  cried  Pewy  ; 
"  but  I  am  gkd  that  she  can  no  longer  blame 
Hugh,  and  call  him  a  thief." 

"  She  would  not  do  that  now,  any  way," 
answered  Sir  Henry.  "At  least,  I  think  I 
have  persuaded  her  that  she  was  wrong.  She 
wore  the  bracelet  and  star  at  a  dinner-party, 
and  did  not  take  them  off  till  quite  late  —  long 
after  Hugh  had  left  the  house  by  her  own 
orders ;  so,  if  she  will  only  believe  that  there 
were  no  robbers  here  —  that  no  stranger 
entered  the  place,  and  that  your  story  is  true, 
she  must  know  " — 

"  Father,  father,  do  not  remind  me  of  my 
wickedness,"  exclaimed  Percy,  flushing  pain- 
fully. "  I  hate  to  think  of  it." 

"  But  you  must  think  of  it,  my  boy,"  replied 
his  cither,  gravely.  "  You  have  sinned,  and, 
although  I  have  forgiven  you,  I  am  greatly 
afraid  there  is  still  much  suffering  in  store  for 
you." 

"  But  how?  why?"  asked  Percy,  in  a  quick, 
startled  tone. 


258  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"You  have  brought  it  all  on  yourself,  my 
poor  child,"  said  Sir  Henry,  sadly.  "  If  we 
arrest  Mary  Ann  ;  if  we  pursue  this  man  and 
get  back  the  diamonds,  you  must,  I  feel  certain, 
appear  in  court  as  a  witness ;  you  must  state 
the  case  and  tell  the  story  as  you  told  it  to 
me." 

"  Oh,  I  could  not  do  it;  I  could  not  do  it. 
Let  them  keep  the  jewels.  Aunt  Lydia  can  do 
very  well  without  them." 

"  No,  no  ;  we  must  do  no  such  thing.  That 
would  be  wrong  and  cowardly  in  the  extreme," 
said  his  father,  sternly.  "You  must  do  all 
you  can  to  atone  for  your  wicked  conduct,  and 
help  your  aunt  to  recover  the  diamonds  she 
has  lost.  You  must  do  what  you  can,  Percy, 
and  do  it  like  a  man." 

"  But  then  every  one  will  know  how  I  tried 
to  be  revenged,  how  badly  I  behaved  to  Aunt 
Lydia,"  moaned  Percy,  rocking  himself  back- 
wards and  forwards  on  his  chair.  "  I  cannot 
do  it,  father ;  I'd  rather  die  than  do  it." 

"  My  boy,  my  dear  boy,  you  must  not  talk 
so  wildly,"  cried  Sir  Henry,  terrified  at  the 
agonized  despair  in  the  child's  voice.  "It  will 
not  be  as  terrible  as  you  seem  to  suppose.  Try 
to  think  of  this  ordeal  as  a  punishment  for  your 


A  STORY  FOR  BOYS.  259 

conduct,  which  you  know  was  wicked,  and 
which  you  regret  so  much.  Try  to  bear  it 
patiently  and  "  — 

"  I  can't  —  I  —  can't  —  I  — ,*  and,  quite  sud- 
denly, without  any  word  of  warning,  Percy 
fell,  fainting,  at  his  fathers  feet. 

"The  poor  lad  is  quite  done  out.  How 
stupid  of  me  to  let  him  talk  so  much,  after  such 
a  day  of  misery,"  exclaimed  Sir  Henry ;  and, 
raising  him  tenderly,  he  laid  him  on  the  sofa, 
and  bathed  his  head  and  face  with  cold  water. 

For  some  moments,  and  they  seemed  like 
hours  to  the  anxious  watcher,  Percy  remained 
unconscious ;  but,  at  last,  he  opened  his  eyes, 
and,  with  a  heavy  sigh,  looked  about  the  room 
in  a  weary,  uncertain  manner.  He  seemed  to 
have  forgotten  where  he  was,  and  all  the 
strange  incidents  of  that  eventful  day. 

*'  I  feel  tired,  papa.  Don't  you  think  I 
might  go  to  bed  ?  ~  he  asked,  softly ;  "  but  yon 
must  help  me,  for  I  feel  —  so  —  so  —  that  I 
can't  move — I — ,"  and  his  head  dropped  back, 
helplessly,  on  his  pillow. 

Very  much  surprised  at  this  sudden  change, 
Sir  Henry  carried  him  down  to  his  room  and 
put  him  to  bed.  As  he  helped  him  to  undress, 
he  noticed, 'with  alarm,  that  his  cheeks  and 


260  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

hands  were  hot  and  burning ;  but  when  the 
weary  eyes  closed  in  peaceful  sleep,  he  felt 
certain  that  all  was  well. 

Then,  kissing  the  boy  tenderly,  upon  lip  and 
brow,  he  stole  away  to  his  room  to  seek  the 
rest  he  required  so  much  after  his  day  of  trouble 
and  anxiety. 

The  next  morning,  very  early,  before  the 
servants  had  begun  their  round  of  daily  duties, 
Hugh  went  briskly  up  to  the  front  door  and 
rang  the  bell.  It  was  speedily  opened  for  him 
by  the  maid,  who  was  going  forth  to  wash  the 
steps. 

He  bade  her  "  good-morning,"  and  questioned 
her  closely  about  Percy  and  his  mysterious  dis- 
appearance. The  girl  told  him  of  her  young 
master's  return,  and  Hugh  was  filled  with  joy 
at  the  good  news. 

There  was  no  fear  of  meeting  Mrs.  Torrens 
at  that  early  hour,  so  Hugh  entered  the  hall 
and  hurried  along  to  Percy's  room.  He  walked 
very  lightly  lest  he  should  wake  the  sleeping 
boy,  —  for  he  knew  his  cousin  was  a  late  riser, 
and  expected  to  find  him  still  in  bed. 

But,  as  he  approached  the  apartment,  he  was 
surprised  to  hear  loud  shouting  and  talking 
going  on  within.  Full  of  wonder,  he  raised 


A   STORY  FOR  BOYS.  261 

the  curtain,  and  was  about  to  make  some  laugh- 
ing remark,  when  he  suddenly  stopped  short, 
appalled  by  the  sight  that  met  his  eyes. 

Sir  Henry  knelt  in  silent  despair  by  Percy's 
bed,  his  arms  thrown  round  the  boy,  who 
shouted  and  screamed  in  the  wildest  manner. 
His  eyes  were  strangely  bright ;  his  cheeks  hot 
and  burning ;  he  tossed  madly  to  and  fro  upon 
his  bed,  and  would  sorely  have  flung  himself 
out  upon  the  floor  had  not  his  father  been  near 
to  protect  and  restrain  him. 

Poor  little  Theo  crouched  in  a  distant  cor- 
ner, sobbing  and  moaning,  calling  earnestly  to 
God  to  have  pity  on  them,  and  make  her 
brother  well  again. 

"  Theo,  Theo,  tell  me  what  has  happened? 
What  is  the  matter  with  Percy?"  whispered 
Hugh,  creeping  across  the  room  to  the  weeping 
girl. 

"  I  am  so  glad  you  have  come,  Hugh ;  I  am 
so  glad  you  have  come,"  she  said,  and  she  flung 
herself  into  his  arms  with  a  cry  of  joy. 

"But  what  is  wrong,  Theo?  Why  does 
Percy  throw  himself  about  like  that?" 

"  I  don't  know  why,"  she  sobbed.  "  Poor 
fellow,  he  seems  so  strange ;  he's  mad,  I  think. 
Papa  says  itfs  fever;  but,  oh!  I'm  glad  you 


262  PERCY'S   REVENGE  : 

have  come.  The  poor  boy  has  done  nothing 
but  call  for  you  all  morning.  We  sent  Grey 
for  you  and  the  doctor ;  but  he  hasn't  had  time 
to  get  to  Richmond  yet,  and  —  and  it  was  very 
good  of  you  to  come  off  so  fast." 

"  I  was  very  anxious  to  hear  about  Percy," 
whispered  Hugh.  "  I  was  so  frightened  when 
I  got  uncle's  telegram  last  night,  and  I  came  to 
see  if  he  had  come  home,  as  soon  as  ever  I 
could." 

"Yes,  he  has  come  home,  as  you  see ;  but — 
but — I  don't  know  when  or  how  he  came  ;  for 
it  must  have  been  after  I  went  to  bed.  This 
morning  early,  Rapes  told  me  he  was  here  and 
very  ill.  I  ran  down  to  see  him,  and  he  has 
been  like  that  ever  since  I  came  in.  Poor  papa 
doesn't  know  what  to  do." 

"  Save  me  !  save  me  !  "  cried  Percy,  clutch- 
ing wildly  at  the  bedclothes;  "  those  men — 
look  at  their  glaring  eyes,  ah !  they  are  com- 
ing ;  they  are  coming.  Don't  tell  Aunt  Lydia — 
the  diamonds — Hugh,  Hugh.  He  is  good; 
he's  good-;  don't  send  him  away ;  he's  my 
cousin;  my  best  friend;  he'll  hear  of  my 
wickedness,  my  lies,  my  —  but  I'll  be  re- 
venged; I'll  make  her'' —  And  then,  with  a 
sigh,  he  fell  back,  exhausted,  on  his  pillow. 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  263 

"  What  pain,  what  pain,"  he  murmured, 
presently,  turning  his  head,  restlessly,  from 
one  side  to  the  other.  "What  fearful  pain, 
and  ifs  all  because  I  was  cruel,  and — no,  no ; 
ifs  Aunt  Lydia's  fault;  why  did  she  treat 
Hugh  so  badly?  She  shall  not  get  her  jewels, 
ha!  ha!  Fm  glad,  but,  oh!  the  sorrow 
of  it  all.  Papa  says  I  must  tell ;  and  they'll 
laugh  and  point.  Oh !  I  couldn't  do  it.  Xo, 
no,  Fd  rather  die ;  but,  no ;  for  I  should  never 
see  my  dear  mother  then.  God  have  pity, 
mercy,  forgive,"  and,  closing  his  eyes,  he  sank 
into  a  stupor. 

Dreadfully  shocked  at  his  cousin's  unhappy 
condition,  Hugh  remained  standing  in  silence 
in  the  middle  of  the  room,  his  arm  thrown 
round  Theo,  who  started  and  trembled  at  every 
word  her  brother  uttered. 

Sir  Henry  was  wild  with  grief;  and  in  his 
extreme  agitation  scarcely  knew  what  to  do. 
He  had  sent  for  the  doctor  some  time  before, 
bnl  he  had  not  arrived,  and  the  poor  man  was 
sadly  troubled  at  this  delay. 

When,  at  last,  he  observed  Hugh,  he  signed 
to  him  to  approach,  and,  as  he  held  out  his 
hand  to  draw  him  to  his  side,  the  boy  seized  it 
and  covered  it  with  kisses. 


264  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

Touched  by  this  token  of  affectionate  sym- 
pathy, Sir  Henry  put  his  arm  around  him  and 
pressed  his  lips  to  his  forehead. 

"  My  dear  lad,"  he  said,  in  a  husky  voice, 
"it  was  very  good  of  you  to  come.  You 
have  been  injured  and  insulted,  and  I  am  very 
sorry  that  you  were  treated  so  shamefully ;  but 
I  can  see  that  you  bear  no  ill-will ;  that  you 
have  forgiven  Mrs.  Torrens." 

"  Oh,  yes,"  answered  Hugh,  quickly.  "She 
thought  I  had  prompted  Percy  to  play  a  wicked 
trick  ;  and,  had  I  done  so,  she  would  have  been 
quite  right  to  send  me  home  as  she  did ;  but  I 
did  not,  uncle ;  indeed,  I  did  not." 

"No,  my  boy,  I  am  quite  sure  you  did  not. 
You  are  good  and  forgiving,  Hugh  :  would  that 
poor  Percy  had  been  the  same.  His  aunt 
affronted  him,  was  unkind  and  insulting ;  and 
he  could  not  bear  it,  as  you  have  done.  He 
tried  to  frighten  her,  to  be  revenged,  and  see 
what  his  passionate  desires  have  brought  him 
to.  He  is  dying,  I  know  —  I  feel  sure,  and 
his  whole  soul  is  torn  with  the  anguish  of 
remorse."  « 

"  No,  no,  he  cannot — he  must  not  die.  Let 
us  pra}r  that  he  may  not  die.  God  will  not 
take  him  away  till  he  truly  repents  —  till  he  is 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  265 

really  sorry  for  his  wicked  conduct,"  cried 
Hugh,  earnestly;  and  he  fell  on  his  knees 
weeping  and  praying. 

The  heartbroken  father  tried  to  follow  the 
boy's  simple  prayer  for  mercy,  as  he  knelt 
close  to  his  suffering  child,  whose  frequent 
groans  and  cries  of  pain  filled  his  heart  with 
sorrow ;  and  Theo's  little  voice  joined  Hugh's 
in  his  fervent  supplications,  her  sobs  growing 
fainter  as  she  repeated  the  holy  words. 

At  last  it  seemed  as  though  God  had,  indeed, 
listened  to  their  entreaties,  for  Percy  grew 
quieter,  and  after  some  time  fell  asleep. 

This  happy  change  in  his  little  son  was  a 
great  relief  to  Sir  Henry,  and  made  him  more 
hopeful  of  his  recovery.  Kaising  Hugh  from 
his  knees,  he  pressed  his  hands  warmly  within 
his  own,  saying : 

"  God  bless  you,  dear  boy.  You  have  been 
a  great  comfort  to  me,  and  your  prayers  have 
done  poor  Percy  good.  Stay  beside  him  now, 
whilst  I  go  in  search  of  Bridget." 

"My  mother  would  come,  uncle — pray  send 
for  her,"  cried  Hugh.  "  She  is  such  a  good 
nurse  —  so  gentle  and  kind,  and  I  know  she 
would  be  so  <rlad  to  come." 

"  That  would  be  a  blessing  for  my  boy ;  he 


266  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

loves  his  Aunt  Lucy  dearly,"  said  Sir  Henry, 
smiling.  "Yes,  I  will  send  and  ask  her  to 
corne.  She  can  bring  Susie  with  her  —  Theo 
will  be  glad  to  have  her." 

"Yes,  indeed  I  would,"  said  Theo;  "and, 
oh,  how  delightful  to  have  Aunt  Lucy  in  the 
house." 

"  Delightful  for  us,  but  a  trial  for  her,"  said 
her  father.  "  And  now,  Hugh,  I  shall  leave 
you  with  Percy  for  a  minute  or  two.  He  is 
quiet  and  peaceful,  thank  God,  so  there  is 
no  fear.  If  he  wakes,  ring,  and  I  will  come  at 
once.  Come,  Theo,  you  must  not  stay  here. 
I  cannot  have  my  daughter  ill,  too."  And, 
taking  the  little  girl  by  the  hand,  he  went 
away,  leaving  Hugh  in  charge  of  the  sleeping 
boy. 

But  Percy's  sleep  was  of  short  duration,  and 
to  Hugh's  horror  he  started  up  suddenly  and 
gazed  at  him  wildly,  not  knowing  in  the  least 
who  he  was. 

"I  want  Hugh,"  he  shrieked.  "I  must 
speak  to  Hugh  —  I  must  tell  him  to  fly.  But 
don't  let  Aunt  Lydia  know,  or  she'll  put  him 
in  prison.  Call  Hugh,  I  say.  When  I  see 
him  my  head  will  be  cooler  —  and  oh,  how  it 
burns  —  how  it  burns." 


A  STOBY  FOR   BOYS.  267 

"  Percy,  dear,  I  am  here  beside  you,"  said 
Hugh,  gently,  laying  his  hand  upon  Percy's  as 
he  spoke. 

"Who  are  you?  You  are  not  Hugh.  Go 
away,  I  know  who  you  are  —  you  are  the 
wretch  that  stole  the  diamonds ;  but  the  police 
will  soon  get  you !  ha,  ha,  ha !  But  give  me 
that  star — give  it  to  me  I  say,  or  Fll — 111 
make  you,"  and,  springing  to  the  side  of  the 
bed,  he  seized  Hugh  by  the  throat. 

Terrified  at  this  sudden  attack,  Hugh  did  his 
best  to  free  himself  gently  from  the  frenzied 
grasp,  for  he  was  afraid  that  he  should  excite 
the  patient  still  more  if  he  threw  him  off  too 
roughly. 

But  very  soon  the  fingers  relaxed  their  hold, 
and  Percy  fell  back  panting  for  breath. 

Hugh  burst  into  tears  as  he  watched  the 
suffering  child,  and  he  trembled  to  think  that 
if  another  paroxysm  came  on,  he  might  not 
have  strength  to  keep  him  in  his  bed. 

At  last,  to  his  intense  relief,  the  door  opened, 
and  Sir  Henry  entered  the  room  with  the 
doctor. 

The  latter  approached  the  bed,  and  placing 
his  hand  upon  the  burning  brow,  uttered  an 
exclamation  of  surprise  and  disgust.  Seizing 


268  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

a  pair  of  scissors  that  lay  on  the  table  near,  he 
raised  Percy's  golden  curls,  and  cut  them  all 
off,  close  to  his  head. 

Sir  Henry  started,  and  made  a  movement  as 
though  to  stop  the  cruel  hands ;  but  the  doctor 
looked  at  him  quietly  over  his  spectacles,  and 
proceeded  calmly  with  his  work. 

"That  is  well  done,"  he  remarked,  with 
satisfaction,  as  the  last  long  tress  fell  from  his 
fingers  to  the  ground.  "It  is  worth  any 
money  to  be  rid  of  that  load,  though  we 
shall  have  to  shave  him  by  and  by." 

"  Was  it  quite  necessary  to  cut  off  all  his 
beautiful  hair?"  asked  Sir  Henry,  regretfully  ; 
"  the  poor  boy  liked  it." 

"  Necessary  !  "  cried  the  doctor.  "  My  dear 
Sir  Henry,  your  son  is  suffering  from  an  attack 
of  brain  fever.  We  must  keep  his  head  as 
cool  as  possible." 

He  then  gave  many  directions  as  to  how  the 
patient  was  to  be  treated,  advised  them  to 
watch  him  constantly  ;  not  to  allow  too  many 
persons  in  the  room  at  once ;  and,  above  all, 
let  nothing  be  said  or  done  that  could  excite  or 
agitate  him.  The  good  doctor  then  hurried 
away,  promising  to  return  in  a  few  hours. 

That   day  was  a  terrible   one   for   all   who 


A  STORY  FOR  BOTS.  269 

loTed  the  fever-stricken  child.  One  moment 
he  was  wildly  delirious,  the  next  he  lay  back 
on  his  pillow,  in  an  almost  death-like  still- 


When  Mrs.  Brown  received  her  brother-in- 
law's  telegram,  announcing  Percy's  illness,  she 
packed  up  a  few  necessary  articles,  handed 
Susie  over  to  the  care  of  her  little  maid,  and 
set  out  for  Holland  Park. 

Arrived  there,  she  took  her  place  at  once  in 
the  sick  room ;  and  it  was  a  great  comfort  to 
Sir  Henry  to  see  how  tenderly  she  nursed  the 
boy,  and  how  well  she  seemed  to  understand 
all  that  was  required. 

Hugh  sat  in  silence  at  the  foot  of  the  bed, 
slipping  away,  when  Percy  grew  quiet,  to 
carry  a  word  of  comfort  to  the  little  sister, 
who  was  not  allowed  to  go  near  the  patient. 

When  Mrs.  Torrens  heard  that  Percy  was 
fll,  she  was  deeply  grieved.  She  did  not  love 
the  boy,  for  he  had  been  a  thorn  in  her  side 
for  many  years;  but  Sir  Henry  had  always 
been  good  and  affectionate,  and  for  his  sake 
she  was  really  sorry.  She  offered  to  go  to  his 
room  and  nurse  him ;  but  knowing  how  much 
Percy  disliked  her,  his  father  would  not  allow 
her  to  think  of  such  a  thing.  He  refused  her 


270  PERCY'S  REVENGE  i 

offer,  therefore,  gently  but  firmly,  thanking 
her  sincerely  for  her  kind  intentions. 

She  then  said  she  was  going  to  Brighton  for 
a  time,  and  would  be  very  glad  to  take  Theo 
with  her. 

To  this  Sir  Henry  would  readily  have  given 
his  consent,  as  it  pained  him  to  see  his  little 
daughter  wandering  so  sadly  through  the 
house ;  but  she  implored  him  to  allow  her  to 
stay  at  home  and  comfort  him,  and  take  care 
of  Percy  when  he  began  to  get  better. 

She  looked  so  sweet  and  tender  as  she  made 
her  request,  that  her  father  caught  her  in  his 
arms,  and  said  she  should  do  exactly  as  she 
liked. 

"  Then  I  shall  certainly  stay  at  home,  papa 
dear.  I  should  be  so  unhappy  away  from  you 
all." 

Very  angry  at  the  child's  decision,  Mrs. 
Torrens  flounced  out  of  the  library,  and  went 
off  to  make  her  preparations  for  her  journey. 

She  went  away  that  afternoon,  and  no  one 
was  much  grieved  at  her  departure. 

In  his  anxiety  about  his  son,  Sir  Henry  quite 
forgot  to  tell  his  sister  the  strange  story  that 
Percy  had  overheard  in  the  parlor  of  the  Red 


A  STORY  FOR  BOYS. 


271 


Lion  Inn ;  and  so  it  happened  that  Mary  Ann, 
the  dishonest  maid,  remained  with  her  mis- 
tress, and  accompanied  her  on  her  sudden  trip 
to  Brighton. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

CONVALESCENCE. 

PR  six  weary  days,  Percy  remained  in  the 
same    alarming   condition ;  at   one    time 
quiet  and  exhausted,  at  another  raving  in  the 
wild  delirium  of  fever. 

On  the  seventh  day,  however,  he  grew 
gradually  calmer,  and  at  last  fell  into  a  deep 
sleep. 

Sir  Henry  and  Hugh  were  rejoiced  at  the 
sight,  and  sat  for  a  long  time  in  silence  by  his  bed. 

But  fatigued  as  they  were  by  watching  and 
anxiety,  they  soon  followed  the  invalid's  ex- 
ample, and  slumbered  peacefully  in  their  arm- 
chairs. 

Percy  slept  for  several  hours,  and,  when  he 
opened  his  eyes,  he  looked  curiously  round  the 
room.  He  called  for  Hugh,  as  he  had  so  often 
done  before,  and  in  an  instant  his  cousin  was 
by  his  side. 

(272) 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  273 

"  Here  I  am,  Percy  dear,"  cried  Hugh,  de- 
lighted at  the  quiet  sound  of  the  patienfs 
voice.  "  How  do  you  feel?" 

"  I  feel  weak,  so  weak,  Hugh ;  but  the  pain 
has  gone.  I  am  glad  you  have  come,  for  I 
wanted  to  talk  to  you.  Do  you  know  what  I 
did?" 

"  Yes ;  I  have  heard  ;  but  you  must  not  talk 
so  much  ;  you  are  to  be  kept  very  quiet.  The 
doctor  says  talking  is  bad  for  you." 

"  Have  I  been  ill?  "  asked  Percy,  languidly. 
"I  feel  so  strange  and  I  have  been  having 
such  bad  dreams.  I  am  so  glad  they  are  over, 
for  they  made  my  head  ache  and  burn  so." 

"  You  have  been  ill,  Percy,  very  ill,"  said 
Hugh,  gravely ;  **  but  you  are  better  now ; 
drink  a  little  of  this  and  try  to  go  to  sleep 
again." 

**  That  is  very  nice,"  he  murmured,  as  Hugh 
put  some  iced  lemonade  to  his  lips.  "  It  is  so 
good  of  you  to  stay  with  me,  Hugh,  when  I 
have  been  so  cross  and  disagreeable  to  you ; 
but,  please,  do  not  leave  me ;  I  get  so  fright- 
ened when  I  am  left  alone." 

"You  have  not  been  alone  for  an  instant, 
Percy ;  some  one  was  always  with  you  ;  only 
you  did  not  know  us." 


274  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"I  knew  you  all  quite  well,"  answered 
Percy ;  ' '  but  I  was  so  taken  up  with  those 
horrid  dreams,  that  I  could  not  speak  to  you.  I 
thought  I  was  in  court,  Hugh,  swearing  about 
those  dreadful  men  and  the  diamond  star,  and 
as  I  told  my  story  every  one  laughed  at  me, 
and  pointed  their  fingers  at  me,  and  there  were 
great  red  tongues,  with  '  liar '  written  on  them, 
stuck  out  at  me  from  all  the  corners.  Oh,  it 
was  terrible — terrible,"  and  the  boy  shuddered 
at  the  recollection. 

Hugh  was  alarmed  to  see  Percy  growing 
excited  again,  and  did  what  he  could  to  soothe 
him. 

"Try  and  forget  those  dreams,  dear,"  he 
whispered;  "  think  of  something  pleasant  and 
go  to  sleep  again." 

"Very  well,  I  will,"  said  Percy,  smiling 
faintly;  "I'll  think  of  you,  Hugh,  for  you  are 
the  pleasantest  thing  I  know." 

"  So  long  as  you  are  happy  I  don't  care 
what  you  think  about,"  answered  Hugh,  and 
he  shook  up  his  cousin's  pillows,  and  gave  him 
another  refreshing  drink. 

And  as  Percy  was  very  weak,  and  felt  ex- 
hausted with  the  effort  he  had  made,  he  gladly 
took  Hugh's  advice  ;  closing  his  eyes  he  turned 


A   STOBY  FOB   BOYS.  l7r 

away  his  head,  and  soon  dropped  off  to  sleep 
again. 

Sir  Henry  was  overjoyed  to  hear  his  son 
talk  so  sensibly  to  Hugh,  and  he  longed  to  run 
forward  and  clasp  him  to  his  heart;  bat  the 
doctor  had  warned  them  not  to  excite  him 
when  he  first  awoke;  so,  the  loving  father 
restrained  himself  and  kept  quietly  out  of  sight 
whilst  the  above  conversation  was  carried  on 
between  the  two  boys. 

All  danger  was  now  at  an  end,  and  from  that 
day  Percy  began  to  get  well. 

But  it  was  "difficult  to  regain  the  strength  he 
had  lost,  and  for  many  months  Sir  Henry 
watched  his  child  with  renewed  tenderness  and 
care. 

And  Percy  was  deeply  touched  by  his  father's 
kind  forgiveness,  and  did  all  he  could  to  show 
him  how  grateful  he  felt,  and  how  dearly  he 
loved  him. 

But  yet  the  lad  did  not  regain  his  happiness 
with  his  health,  slowly  as  it  came. 

There  are  certain  sins,  dear  children,  that, 
no  matter  how  generously  they  are  forgiven  by 
those  around  us,  always  bring  their  own 
punishment.  And  this  was  what  Percy  felt 
keenly,  as  he  looked  back  upon  the  past. 


276  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

His  father  had  forgiven  him,  Hugh  and  Theo 
were  more  loving  and  attentive  than  ever,  and 
yet  he  could  not  forgive  himself;  his  heart  was 
full  of  remorse. 

During  the  long  weeks  of  his  convalescence 
he  had  pondered  deeply  over  all  the  actions  of 
his  life,  and  especially  over  his  conduct  towards 
Mrs.  Torrens.  Hugh  and  he  had  talked  about 
it,  time  after  time,  and  his  great  desire  was  to 
atone  for  his  shameful  behavior,  and  obtain  his 
aunt's  forgiveness. 

But  this  was  difficult  to-  accomplish.  Mrs. 
Torrens  considered  that  she  had  been  badly 
treated  by  her  brother  and  his  son,  and  vowed 
that  she  would  never  enter  the  house  again. 

Had  she  made  that  resolution  some  months 
before  no  one  would  have  tempted  her  to  break 
it ;  but  now  Percy  was  seized  with  a  great 
longing  to  have  her  back,  that  he  might  prove 
how  truly  he  repented  his  wicked  conduct. 

And  anxious  as  he  always  was  to  please  his 
boy  in  every  way,  Sir  Henry  wrote  to  his 
sister,  asking  her  to  come  to  them,  if  only  for 
a  week. 

But  she  could  not  be  persuaded  to  change 
her  mind,  and  wrote  a  long  tirade  against 
Percy  and  his  wickedness.  The  story  of  the 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  277 

star  and  the  men  at  the  Bed  Lion  Inn  she  de- 
clared to  be  a  pore  invention;  that  nothing 
would  induce  her  to  believe  a  word  that  such  a 
boy  said ;  and  that,  until  she  had  better  proof 
of  Mary  Ann's  dishonesty,  she  intended  keep- 
ing her  in  her  service. 

This  letter  was  handed  to  Sir  Henry,  one 
evening,  as  he  sat  by  the  sofa  in  his  son  s  room. 
Glancing  over  its  contents,  he  crushed  it  be- 
tween his  fingers,  and  thrust  it  hurriedly  into 
his  pocket.  The  cruel  words  had  wounded 
him  deeply,  and  he  wished  to  save  Percy  as 
much  as  possible  from  any  annoyance ;  but  the 
boy  noticed  the  look  of  pain  upon  his  father  s 
face,  and  guessed  directly  what  it  was  that 
troubled  him. 

<<  Papa,  dear,"  he  said,  holding  out  his  little 
thin  hand,  "  give  me  that  letter,  please.  It  is 
from  Aunt  Lydia,  I  am  sure,  and  1  want  to  see 
what  she  says  about  me." 

"  It  would  only  pain  you  to  read  it,  Percy ; 
and  you  are  too  weak  to  bear  vexation  just  yet ; 
so  do  not  ask  to  see  this  to-day." 

"Father,"  said  Percy,  gravely,  "you  wish 
to  spare  me  all  trouble,  I  know ;  but  I  am  not 
sure  that  yon  are  right.  A  little  suffering  is 
good  for  us  hi  this  world.  Those  who  have 


278  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

something  to  bear,  and  bear  it  well,  are  always 
the  best  and  most  lovable." 

' '  My  dear  boy  ! " 

"Yes,  father;  I  am  certain  they  are.  I  have 
learned  many  things  lately  from  the  good 
people  who  have  come  to  visit  me  ;  and  that  is 
one.  Look  at  Aunt  Lucy,  how  sweet  and 
good  she  is  !  Look  at  Hugh,  whose  childhood 
was  passed  in  poverty  and  trouble  !  and  then 
look  at  me,  who  have  had  everything  I  wanted, 
and  always  tried  to  get  away  from  the  least 
little  thing  that  was  disagreeable.  See  how 
different  we  are." 

"  Yes  ;  perhaps  you  are.  But  still  I  do  not 
see  why  you  should  give  yourself  unnecessary 
pain,  dear  child." 

"But  it  is  not  unnecessary,  papa,"  urged 
Percy.  "  I  have  sinned  deeply,  and  it  is  only 
right  that  T  should  bear  the  consequences. 
Therefore,  you  must  let  me  see  Aunt  Lydia's 
letter,  so  that  I  may  know  her  true  opinion  of 
me." 

"  Well,  Percy,  if  you  really  wish  it,  here 
it  is, "replied  his  father,  sadly.  "I  am  sorry 
for  your  sake  and  her  own,  that  she  cannot  be 
more  kind  and  forgiving."  And  with  great 
reluctance  he  handed  the  letter  to  his  son. 


A    STORY   FOR   BOFS.  '27  ' 

Percy  smoothed  out  the  crumpled  paper,  and 
shading  his  face  with  his  hand,  began  to  read 
it  slowly  and  attentively  :  and  as  he  read,  and 
the  full  meaning  of  his  aunt's  words  grew  upon 
him,  his  pale  cheeks  flushed,  and  the  tears 
started  to  his  eyes. 

"  She  is  Tery  cruel,"  he  cried  at  last, 4*  very, 
very  cruel;  but,  alas,  dear  father,  I  deserve 
every  word  she  says." 

"  She  was  wrong  to  write  in  such  a  manner," 
ex.  laiined  Sir  Henry,  angrily.  '*  I  told  her 
all  you  have  suffered,  how  sorry  yon  are,  and 
she  should  have  forgiven  you  at  once."  And 
taking  up  the  letter  he  flung  it  into  the  fire. 

"  Oh,  papa,  yon  should  not  have  done  that,9 
said  Percy.  "It  would  have  been  better  to 
have  kept  it,  until  I  could  have  proved  to  her 
that  I  am  not  quite  so  bad  as  she  believes  me 
to  be ;  then  I  could  have  burned  it  joyfully." 

•  •  I  have  no  patience  with  her,  and  I  cannot 
understand  her  hard  cruelty.9 

"  But,  really,  papa  dear,  it  is  no  wonder  she 
is  angry,  for  I  did  behave  very  badly,"  said 
Percy,  putting  his  arm  round  his  lather's  neck. 
"  you  know  how  difficult  you  found  it  to  for- 
give me  at  first — you  who  love  me  so  dearly. 
And  then  you  must  not  forget  that  she  blames 


280  TEKCY'S  HEVENGE  : 

me  for  the  loss  of  her  diamonds ;  and,  unfortu- 
nately, she  is  right ;  for  if  I  had  not  made  up 
that  horrible  story  about  the  robbers,  Mary 
Ann  would  never  have  dared  to  touch  either 
star  or  bracelet." 

"That  is  all  quite  true,  dear;  but  why 
doesn't  she  believe  what  I  tell  her?  Why 
doesn't  she  watch  Mary  Ann,  search  her 
boxes,  and  dismiss  her?" 

"Yes;  I  wish  she  would  before  it  is  too 
late.  She  gave  the  star  to  that  man ;  but 
then,  what  did  she  do  with  the  bracelet,  I 
wonder?  If  Aunt  Lydia  would  only  take 
some  trouble,  she  might  find  out  all  about  it, 
and,  perhaps,  get  her  diamonds  back  again." 

"  She  is  shamefully  hard  on  you,  dear  boy, 
and  I  feel  grieved  beyond  measure  at  her  con- 
duct," said  Sir  Henry.  "  No  matter  what  she 
lost,  she  had  no  right  to  speak  of  you  as  she 
has  done.  But,  my  dear  lad,  I  do  hope  this 
will  be  a  great  lesson  to  you,  and  that  you  now 
see  how  terrible  a  thing  it  is  to  give  way  to  a 
revengeful  spirit.  Just  see  what  sorrow  it  has 
brought  into  your  life." 

"Yes,  papa;  indeed  I  do,"  cried  Percy, 
earnestly. 

"You    acted  a  lie  —  a  series  of   lies  —  and 


A   STORY  FOR  BOYS.  281 

now  nothing  that  I  can  say  will  persuade  your 
aimt  that  you  are  not  a  thorough  liar  and  story- 
teller. It  will  be  very  hard  to  make  her 
change  her  opinion — very  hard." 

"  Yes,  I  am  afraid  it  will,"  sighed  Percy. 
*«  But  the  worst  of  it  is,  that  I  deserve  that  she 
should  despise  and  think  ill  of  me.  How  can 
she  know  that  my  illness  has  changed  me? 
How  can  she  know  that  I  hare  truly  repented, 
and  that  if  she  came  here  again  I  would  treat 
her  with  every  respect? " 

"  She  might  give  you  the  chance,  anyway, 
my  dear  child." 

**  Tes :  I  wish  she  would.  It  would  make 
me  so  happy  to  show  her  how  different  I  am 
now.  But  about  the  star,  papa?  Did  you 
send  to  the  right  place?  To  the  street  I  heard 
the  fellow  mention?" 

"  I  sent  to  the  very  street  you  told  me  of, 
Percy ;  but  no  such  person  was  to  be  heard  of 
in  that  locality.  The  detectives  have  been  on 
the  look-out  ever  since,  but  have  never  seen 
any  one  at  all  like  the  man  you  described." 

"  That  is  too  bad,"  cried  ^»ercy.  "  For 
until  I  find  the  diamonds,  Aunt  Lydia  will 
never  forgive  me,  I  am  sure.  If  I  could  get 
them  she  might  come  back,  and  then  I  could 


282  PERCY'S  REVENGE: 

show  her  how  sorry  I  am  for  my  past  wicked- 
ness, and  prove  to  her  that  I  am  not  a  liar,  as 
she  seems  to  think,"  and  the  boy's  lips  began  to 
quiver,  and  his  eyes  were  wet  and  shining. 

"  Xo  trouble  shall  be  spared  —  no  stone  shall 
be  left  unturned  till  the  diamonds  are  found," 
said  Sir  Henry,  firmly.  "  But  are  you  willing 
to  do  your  part,  Percy?  Will  you  be  ready, 
if  necessary,  to»appear  before  a  crowded  court, 
if  we  can  lay  our  hands  on  this  ruffian  ?  " 

"  Father,  I  am  ready  to  do  what  is  right. 
Hugh  and  I  have  talked  it  over  many  times, 
and  he  has  managed  to  make  me  think  of  doing 
so,  without  that  awful  fear  of  it  that  I  used  to 
have." 

"  Hugh  is  a  good,  brave  lad,"  said  Sir  Henry, 
warmly. 

"  That  he  is:  good,  brave,  and  clever;  just 
the  sort  of  a  son  you  should  have,  papa,  instead 
of  a  wretched  creature  like  me,"  said  Percy,  in 
a  choking  voice. 

"  My  dear,  dear  child,  you  must  not  speak 
like  that,  and  give  way  to  such  morbid  fancies," 
replied  his  father,  laying  his  hand  gently  on 
his  head.  "  You  are  more  dear  to  me  than 
fifty  Hughs.  You  are  my  own  little  son  ;  and, 
in  spite  of  your  faults,  Percy,  I  love  you  most 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  283 

tenderly.  Your  gentle  patience  during  this 
long  illness ;  your  keen  anxiety  to  repair  the 
mischief  you  have  done,  fill  me  with  happiness, 
and  make  me  certain  that  you  will  be  very  dif- 
ferent in  the  future  to  what  you  have  been  in 
the  past.  I  love  Hugh.  I  think  him  a  good, 
clever  lad,  and  he  is  my  nephew;  but  he  is 
as  nothing  to  me  when  compared  with  you, 
and  the  great  love  I  bear  you.  Now,  are  you 
satisfied?" 

"  Yes,  papa;  indeed  I  am  —  more  than  sat- 
isfied. Your  words  have  made  me  very  happy," 
and,  springing  from  his  couch,  Percy  flung 
himself  into  his  father's  arms  and  kissed  him 
long  and  lovingly. 

"  That  is  right ;  and  now,  my  boy,  you  must 
lie  down  again,  or  we  shall  have  you  quite  ill, 
and  unable  to  go  for  your  drive  to-morrow. 
If  you  do  not  keep  very  quiet  I  shall  go  for 
your  Aunt  Lucy." 

"  No,  no,  papa;  let  poor  Aunt  Lucy  rest 
for  awhile.  She  looked  so  tired  this  afternoon. 
I'll  be  very  good." 

' '  Then  I  shall  leave  Aunt  Lucy  in  peace ; 
but  it  would  be  a  shocking  thing  if  I  allowed 
you  to  talk  too  much  and  you  got  ill  again." 

"  No  fear  of  that,"  cried  Percy,  gayly.     "  I 


284  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

feel  ten  times  stronger  for  having  had  such  a 
cheering  conversation  ;  but,  oh,  father,  if  we 
could  only  find  those  diamonds,  I  would  go 
to  Aunt  Lydia  with  them  myself,  and  then  she 
would  be  obliged  to  forgive  me." 

"You  shall  win  that  forgiveness,  my  dear 
lad,  if  I  can  possibly  manage  it ;  but  you  must 
have  patience,  and  not  expect  everything  to  be 
found  out  at  once." 

Here  the  sound  of  footsteps  was  heard  ap- 
proaching the  room,  and  Sir  Henry  made  a 
movement  as  though  to  prevent  the  intruders 
from  coming  in. 

"  You  cannot  be  disturbed  now,  Percy ;  you 
are  quite  too  tired." 

"  No,  no,  papa;  indeed  I  am  not,"  said  the 
boy,  eagerly ;  "  pray,  let  my  visitors  come  in." 

"  Well,  if  you  wish  it,"  said  Sir  Henry,  and 
he  returned  to  his  seat  by  the  sofa. 

"  May  I  come  in,  Percy?"  asked  a  cheery 
voice,  and  Hugh's  bright  face  appeared  in  the 
doorway. 

"  Come  in?  I  should  just  think  so,"  cried 
Percy.  "  Why,  Hugh,  you  are  as  welcome  as 
the  flowers  in  May." 

"That's  good  news,"  said  Hugh,  laughing. 
"You  seem  very  lively,  Cousin  Percy;  but, 


A   STORY    FOR   BOYS.  285 

oh,  please,  Uncle  Henry,  Joe  Bradley  is  in  the 
passage.  He  doesn't  like  to  come  in  until  you 
ask  him  to  do  so." 

"Not  like  to  come  in?  What  nonsense!" 
cried  Sir  Henry.  Then  going  into  the  passage 
he  shook  the  old  man  warmly  by  the  hand. 
"  My  dear  Mr.  Bradley,  pray  come  in.  My 
son  is  much  better  and  most  anxious  to  see 
you." 

"Is  it  really  Joe ?  Dear  old  Joe ? "  shouted 
Percy,  jumping  up  off  the  sofa.  "Have  you 
any  news  for  me,  Joe?  Have  you  news  of  the 
diamonds  ?  " 

"  Lie  down,  Percy,  or  I  shall  not  allow  you 
to  ask  another  question,"  cried  his  father. 

"Very  well,  papa,"  replied  the  boy;  and 
he  lay  back  at  once  upon  his  cushions.  "  Now, 
Joe,  tell  me  quick;  for  I  know  —  I  feel  sure 
by  the  twinkle  of  your  eye,  that  you  have 
something  important  to  tell  me.  And  Hugh, 
there,  looks  so  knowing.  Oh,  please  be  quick 
and  tell  me  all  about  it ! " 

"Yes,  Master  Percy,"  said  the  old  man; 
and  he  took  a  chair  and  seated  himself  by  the 
boy's  side.  "You  are  quite'  right;  I  have 
news  —  a  wonderful  piece  of  news  to  tell  you." 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 
JOE  BRADLEY'S   STORY. 

"  T  KNEW  I  was  right,"  cried  Percy,  gayly  ; 
"so  out  with  the  news,  Joe  —  out  with 
the  news.". 

""Well,  now,  Master  Percy,  I've  a  story  to 
tell,"  said  the  old  man  ;  "  but  you  must  just  let 
me  tell  it  in  my  own  way,  quietly  and  peace- 
fully;  for  if  you  don't,  I'll  take  Sir  Henry 
away  and  tell  him  alone  in  his  library." 

"  No,  no ;  pray  don't  do  that,"  cried  Percy. 
"  I  promise  not  to  hurry  or  interrupt  you,  so 
please  stay  where  you  arc." 

"  Well,  then,  you  all  know  that  ever  since 
I  met  you  that  night,  Master  Percy,  and  heard 
that  Mrs.  Torrens  had  lost  her  diamonds,  I've 
been  in  a  terrible  way  to  find  them.  Not 
that  I  cared  much  for  the  lady,  but  because  it 
had  been  whispered  that  Master  Hugh  here 
had  something  to  do  with  the  stealin'  of  them. 
(286) 


A    STORY    FOR    BOYS.  287 

So,  for  the  sake  of  his  dear  mother,  who  has 
been  so  good  to  me,  I  vowed  that  I'd  never  rest 
till  I  found  out  who  took  them  —  even  if  it 
took  all  the  money  that  I  got  from  Xorth  Caro- 
lina to  do  it.  An'  so  I  made  up  my  mind 
that  I'd  keep  my  eye  on  Mary  Ann,  the  lady's 
maid ;  for  I  believed  Master  Percy's  story 
about  the  man  and  the  star." 

**  Thank  you,  Joe,  old  friend,"  whispered 
Percy,  with  a  grateful  smile. 

"  Well,  as  I  believed  that  story,  I  thought 
it  best  to  keep  my  eye  on  Mary  Ann,  as  I  said 
before ;  and  as  she  was  in  Brighton,  I  went  to 
Brighton,  —  for,  on  account  of  the  money  from 
Xorth  Carolina,  I'm  pretty  well  my  own  master. 
I  took  my  old  horse  and  cart  with  me ;  and, 
thanks  to  some  introductions  from  my  friend, 
Mrs.  Xipper,  I  got  some  work  to  do,  that  kept 
my  pot  a  boilin'.  An"  then  I  set  to  watch  the 
young  woman  as  well  as  I  could.  When  she 
went  out  of  an  evenin',  I  went  out,  an'  so  on. 
But  I  saw  nothin'  for  a  long  time,  an'  at  last  I 
grew  rather  tired  an'  did  not  go  near  her  for 
two  or  three  days.  Then,  this  afternoon,  I 
went  up  to  the  hotel  where  she  an'  her  Missis 
were  stayin',  an'  asked  the  man  at  the  door  if 
M;—  Mary  Ann  Jenkins  was  within. 


288  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"'Oh,  she's  gone,'  says  he;  'she  an'  her 
lady  had  a  fight,  an'  she's  gone ;  she  left  here 
about  half-an-hour  ago,  an'  I  believe  she's  off  to 
to  London  this  very  day.'" 

"  To  London?  Then  Aunt  Lydia  has  sent 
her  away  at  last,"  cried  Percy;  "  did  she  find 
out  that  she'd  taken  the  diamonds,  after  all?" 

"I  think  not,  sir,"  said  Joe,  dryly;  "but 
no  interruption,  please,  or"  — 

"  All  right,  Joe,"  laughed  Percy;  "  but  go 
on,  please,  your  story  grows  extremely  inter- 
esting." 

"  Well,  when  I  heard  that  my  brave  Mary 
Ann  was  off  to  London,  says  I,  '  Joe,  you'd 
better  go  to  London  too ;  this  is  Saturday 
evenin',  an'  you  won't  have  any  work  to  do  till 
Monday ;  an'  there's  many  a  friend  will  be 
right  glad  to  see  your  old  face  at  their  table  on 
Sunday.' " 

"I  should  just  think  so,"  cried  Hugh ;  "why, 
you're  looked  upon  as  a  regular  good  fairy 
down  where  you  used  to  live." 

"Aye,  aye,  Master  Hugh,"  said  the  old 
fellow  smiling;  "the  old  folks  is  wonderful 
grateful  for  any  little  bit  of  kindness.  But  to 
return  to  my  story ;  off  I  went  to  the  station  ; 
took  my  ticket;  looked  up  an'  down,  but  no 


A  STOKY  FOR  BOYS. 


Mary  Ann  was  to  be  seen ;  'never  mind/ says  I, 
*  you're  took  your  ticket,  Joe,  so  go  to  London 
you  must.1 " 

*'  And  a  very  good  tiling  yon  did,"  remarked 
Hugh ;  "  for  if  you  hadn't'  — 

"  No  interruption,  Master  Hugh.  Well,  Sir 
Henry,  I  went  to  the  train;  stepped  into  at 
third-class  carriage,  an'  lo !  an'  behold !  there 
was  Miss  Mary  Ann  sittin'  waitin'  for  me  as  it 
were." 

«« 'How  do  you  do,  Miss  Jenkins?'  said  I, 
nice  and  civil  like,  'an'  where  are  yon  off  to?' 

"  '  Fm  Miss  Jenkins  no  longer,'  she  cried, 
"  Fin  Mrs.  Samuel  Moses ;  Fm  off  to  America 
with  my  husband  to-morrow.' 

" '  Indeed,  ma'am/  says  I ;  an'  then  I  thought 
sadly :  *  you're  done  for,  Joe,  you're  done  for ; 
what  about  the  diamonds  now?*" 

"  Why,  Moses  was  the  name  of  the  man  that 
had  the  star,"  cried  Percy ;  "  why  didn't  yon 
ask  Mary  Ann  about  the  bracelet?" 

"  Why  didn't  I  ask  her  if  she  had  it  in  her 
pocket,  is  it,  Master  Percy  ?  "  said  Joe,  laugh- 
ing. "Well,  I  don't  think  there  would  have 
been  much  use  in  that  sort  of  a  question,  least- 
ways, if  you  expected  a  truthful  answer :  how- 
ever, I  didn't  ask  it,  but  sat  an'  talked  quite 


290  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

friendly-like,  as  the  train  whirled  us  along  on 
our  way  to  London  ;  an'  then  we  got  precious 
thick,  an'  she  told  me  how  angry  Mrs.  Torrens 
was,  when  she  found  she  was  married  on  the 
sly,  an'  how  she  gave  her  notice  to  go  at  once ; 
an'  how  it  suited  her  very  well  to  leave  as  she 
was  goin'  off  anyway,  as  her  husband  had 
made  all  preparations  to  start  for  America. 
Then  by  degrees  we  came  round  to  the  night 
when  the  diamonds  were  stolen. 

"  '  It  was  wonderfully,  cleverly  done,'  she 
said ;  '  an'  no  one  has  an  idea  of  who  did  it, 
an'  I'm  thinkin'  they'll  never  find  out.' 

"  'Indeed  it  was  cleverly  done,'  I  replied; 
'but  there's  mighty  smart  detectives  goin' 
about  in  London,  an'  Sir  Henry  has  any 
amount  watch  in'  for  the  guilty  parties.' 

"  '  Do  you  say  so,  now?'  she  cried,  and  I 
I  thought  she  grew  a  trifle  paler ;  '  but  it's  not 
likely  they'd  stay  in  the  country.' 

"  '  No,'  says  I, '  they're  sure  to  go  to  America.' 

" '  Dear,  dear,  do  you  think  so,'  she  said,  as 
quietly  as  possible,  but  her  mouth  twitched  a 
bit ;  and  she  moved  uneasily  about  on  her  seat. 

"'Yes,'  says  I,  'an'  isn't  it  a  pity  you 
wouldn't  just  give  me  a  helpin'  hand,  Mary 
Ann?' 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  291 

"  *  Me,'  she  cried,  growin'  as  red  as  a  peony. 

*  What  do  I  know  about  them?' 

"  *  Well,  maybe  not  much,'  said  I,  carelessly. 

*  But  yon  know  this  much  —  you  know  that 
Master  Hugh  Brown  never  touched  them  dia- 
monds.' 

"  « Of  course  he  didn't.  Master  Hugh's  a 
gentleman,  every  inch  of  him ;  besides  he  wasn't 
in  the  house.' 

"'Xo,'  said  I,  *  of  course  he  wasn't;  but 
there's  others  that  was,  an'  if  you  happen  to 
have  an  idea  of  who  they  are,  if  you'd  just  drop 
them  a  hint,  that  supposin'  they'd  pawned  the 
jewels,  it  would  be  a  good  thing  for  them  to 
send  the  tickets  to  Sir  Henry  Randall,  or  even 
to  me ;  for,'  says  I,  givin'  her  a  wink  *  I've  my 
ideas  strong  upon  the  subject,  an'  think  I  know 
who  the  parties  are.  If  those  tickets  were  sent 
to  him  some  day,  Sir  Henry  would  let  the 
robbers  go,  I'm  perfectly  sure  and  certain,  for 
the  sake  of  his  invalid  son,  who  would  have  to 
give  evidence  in  the  case,  and  might  be  injured 
thereby.  But  if  it  so  happens  that  the  thieves 
go  on  board,  without  havin'  given  up  the 
tickets  or  the  diamonds,  they'll  find  the  detec- 
tives looking  through  their  boxes,  an'  that 
might  be  awkward,  to  say  the  least  of  it.' 


292  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"  '  So  it  might,'  she  said,  growin'  very 
fidgety,  an'  openin'  an'  shuttin'  a  little  bag  she 
held  in  her  hand.  '  But  it  isn't  likely  they'll 
have  either  diamonds  or  tickets  in  their  boxes. 
Thieves  is  generally  pretty  sharp.  Ah,  my 
goodness  save  us  all.  What  is  that?' 

"  An'  before  I  had  time  to  answer  a  word, 
there  came  a  great  bump,  a  terrific  shock,  an' 
Mary  Ann  was  sent  flyin'  to  one  side  of  the 
carriage,  an'  I  was  sent  flyin'  to  the  other.  For 
a  minute,  I  was  stunned  like.  But  then  I 
gathered  myself  up,  an'  went  over  to  poor 
Mary  Ann,  who  was  lyin'  all  in  a  heap,  her 
head  against  the  seat. 

"'Any  one  hurt  in  here?'  asked  a  guard, 
lookin'  in  at  the  window. 

"'This  poor  woman  is  in  a  faintin'  fit,'  I 
answered.  '  Has  there  been  an  accident?' 

"'Oh,  nothin'  much,'  says  he,  gayly. 
'  There's  nobody  really  the  worse.  We're  close 
to  the  station,  but  the  line's  blocked,  so  we 
may  be  here  for  half-an-hour  or  so.  If  your 
friend  is  hurt  may  be  it  would  be  better  to  take 
her  home  in  a  cab.' 

"  '  She  wants  air  anyway,  I  think,  so  I'll  just 
get  her  out  of  this  for  awhile,'  said  I,  for  I 
thought  I'd  like  to  keep  Mary  Ann,  an'  look 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  293 

after  her  a  bit  if  she  was  hurt.  The  guard  gave 
me  a  helpin'  hand  for  she  was  quite  insensible, 
an'  carryin'  her  on  to  the  side  of  the  road  we 
laid  her  down.  In  a  few  minutes  she  opened 
her  eyes,  and  stared  about  her  in  surprise. 

"'Where  am  I,'  she  cried,  'where  am  I? 
Old  man,  what  have  you  brought  me  here  for?' 

"  '  Just  for  a  little  air,'  I  said.  *  There  was 
an  accident,  an'  you  fainted.  The  train  cannot 
go  on  for  some  time,  so  I  thought  it  better  to 
bring  you  out  here.  We're  close  to  Victoria, 
an'  ' — 

"'An  accident — the  train  late — good  gra- 
cious, I'll  miss  him,'  she  cried,  starting  to  her 
feet.  '  But  I'm  very  weak,'  and  puttin'  her 
hand  to  her  head  she  sat  down  again.  'Mr. 
Bradley,'  she  said,  faintly,  « will  you  go  back 
to  tne  train,  and  look  for  my  band-box  that's 
under  the  seat,  ifs  very  valuable,  and ' — 

"  '  Yes,  yes,  I'll  get  it  for  you,'  I  cried 
thinkin'  maybe  there  was  somethin'  real  pre- 
cious in  it." 

"The  bracelet,  perhaps?"  suggested  Percy. 

"  No,  no ;  I  wasn't  quite  so  green  as  that, 
Master  Percy.  However,  whatever,  I  thought, 
on*  I  started,  found  our  carriage  after  some 
huntin'  up  an'  down,  an'  looked  under  every 


294  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

seat  an'  in  every  corner,  but  there  was  no  band- 
box to  be  found,  nothin'  but  a  greasy-lookin' 
envelope,  with  a  big  red  seal  on  it. 

"  'The  poor  creature  will  be  disappointed,'  I 
said,  '  for  may  be  her  best  bonnet  was  in  that 
box  —  it  must  have  tumbled  out  of  the  train, 
or  been  picked  up  by ' — 

"  '  Halloa,'  cried  the  guard  ;  '  here's  a  glass 
of  water  for  your  friend.  Is  she  in  the  train 
again  ? ' 

"'Not  she,'  said  I,  'she  was  too  weak  to 
move.  She's  lyin'  over  there,  where  we  put 
her  just  now.' 

"'Not  a  bit  of  her.  She's  gone,'  he  an- 
swered. '  I  took  the  water  over  for  her,  but 
she  was  not  there  to  drink  it.' 

"  '  Not  there,  not  there,'  I  cried,  an'  off  I 
ran  to  look  for  her. 

"  But  he  was  quite  right ;  Mary  Ann  had  dis- 
appeared ;  not  a  trace  of  her  was  to  be  seen." 

"  What  a  pity,"  cried  Percy.  "  Could  you 
not  have  run  after  her?" 

"I'm  not  much  of  a  runner,  Master  Percy, 
an'  if  I  was,  I  did  not  know  where  to  run.  So 
I  just  stood  scratchin'  my  head,  an'  not  knowin' 
what  to  do  except  to  call  myself  names,  an' 
that  I  did  pretty  smartly." 


A  STORY  FOR   BOYS.  295 

"But  the  greasy  envelope  with  the  red 
seal ?  "  said  Sir  Henry.  "  What  about  that?" 

"  Ah,"  said  Joe,  smiling,  and  bringing  out  a 
packet  from  his  coat  pocket.  "There  was 
somethin'  in  that  to  console  me  for  the  loss  of 
my  Mary  Ann.  The  band-box  was  a  rose,  Sir 
Henry,  to  get  me  out  of  sight ;  but  the  poor 
creature  had  taken  my  hint  and  left  me  this  — 
or  may  be  she  had  dropped  it  in  mistake." 

"But  what  is  in  it,  Joe?"  cried  Percy. 
"  What  is  in  it?" 

"Nothing  more  nor  less  than  the  two  pawn- 
tickets,  Master  Percy,  an*  there  they  are ! " 

'*  That  is  capital,"  said  Sir  Henry,  taking 
them  from  the  old  man's  hand.  "And  I  am 
very  grateful  to  you  for  all  the  trouble  you 
have  taken.  You  have  done  more  for  us  than 
all  my  paid  detectives." 

"  Because  my  heart  was  in  it,  Sir  Henry, 
because  my  heart  was  in  it,"  cried  Joe.  "  But 
what  will  you  do  now  ?  Will  you  try  to  stop 
the  thieves  on  their  way  to  America,  or  will 
you  be  content  with  gettin'  back  the  diamonds?" 

"I  shall  let  them  go,"  said  Sir  Henry, 
promptly.  "  To  prosecute  them  would  cause 
us  all  too  much  pain.  I  will  redeem  the  dia- 
monds at  once." 


29  ti  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"Redeem  the  diamonds?  What  do  you 
mean?"  cried  Percy.  "Please,  please,  tell 
me  what  you  mean  ?  " 

"  My  dear  boy,"  said  his  father,  "these  little 
bits  of  pasteboard  are  pawn-tickets,  given  to 
the  persons  who  pawned  your  aunt's  jewels. 
By  presenting  these,  and  paying  a  certain  sum 
of  money,  how  much  I  cannot  tell,  we  can  buy 
the  diamonds  back,  and  take  them  away  when 
we  like." 

"Really,  really  !  Oh,  Joe,  you  are  a  brick," 
and  in  a  whirl  of  excitement,  Percy  sprang 
from  the  sofa,  and  threw  his  arms  round  the 
old  man's  neck. 

"  I'm  right  glad  to  have  served  you,  Master 
Percy.  I'd  do  anything  for  you  an'  your  dear 
father,  for  you've  been  good  an'  lovin'  to  them 
that  was  good  to  me.  It  was  the  thought  of 
clearin'  Master  Hugh,  an'  pleasin'  his  dear 
mother,  that  drove  me  on  to  watch  Mary  Ann. 
Still,  I'm  glad  to  have  served  you.  An'  now, 
Sir  Henry,  what  about  the  diamonds?  Will 
you  go  about  them  yourself,  or  send  some 
one?" 

"I  will  go  myself  this  very  night,  Joe,'' 
cried  Sir  Henry.  "Pawn-shops  keep  open 
late,  I  know,  so  I'll  go  off  at  once.  The 


A    STORY   FOB   BOYS.  297 

bracelet,  I  see,  has  been  disposed  of  in  the 
Strand  —  the  star  somewhere  in  the  East  End. 
I  will  get  them,  if  possible,  this  evening,  and 
take  them  to  my  sister  immediately." 

"Oh,  papa,  papa,  let  me  go  to  Brighton 
with  you,"  cried  Percy.  "Let  me  take  back 
the  diamonds  to  Aunt  Lydia." 

"  Yes,  Percy,  most  certainly  you  may.  But 
do  you  think  you  could  go  to  Brighton  to- 
morrow ?  It  is  a  long  journey,  remember." 

**  Not  so  very  long  —  only  an  hour,"  cried 
the  boy,  eagerly.  "I  feel  so  well  to-night; 
joy  has  given  me  fresh  strength." 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  that,"  said  his  father, 
kissing  him.  "  But  I  am  afraid,  when  the 
excitement  is  over,  you  will  feel  knocked 
up."T 

"  No,  no,  papa  —  indeed,  I  shan't." 

"  Well,  I'll  teU  you  what  I  shall  do,  Percy. 
I  will  go  off  now  and  look  after  these  jewels ; 
then,  on  Monday,  I  will  take  them  to  Brighton. 
You  may  come  with  me,  but  on  one  condi- 
tion." 

"What  is  it,  papa?" 

"  That  you  keep  very  quiet  all  day  to-mor- 
row, and  do  not  excite  yourself  in  anyway." 

"  Very  well,  I  promise,"  cried  Percy,  gayly. 


298  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"  Hugh  and  I  will  go  to  church  together,  and 
we  shall  thank  God  for  His  great  goodness  to 
us  all." 

"Yes,  Percy;  but  will  that  not  be  too 
fatiguing  for  you?"  asked  Hugh. 

"  No,  dear,  it  will  do  me  good,"  answered 
Percy,  gravely.  "  I  have  many  blessings  to 
thank  God  for  now." 

"  Yes,  indeed,  you  have,"  said  Hugh.  «'  And 
if  my  mother  thinks  you  strong  enough  "  — 

"  Aunt  Lucy  said  she  thought  I  might  safely 
go  to-morrow ;  and  I  am  going  to  have  such  a 
happy  day.  Little  Susie  is  coming  to  see  me, 
and  you  must  all  have  afternoon  tea  in  my 
room.  Then,  on  Monday,  Hugh,  we  shall  start 
for  Brighton.  How  delightful !  You  must 
come,  too,  you  know ;  because  Aunt  Lydia 
must  forgive  us  together.  She  must  forgive 
me  for  being  so  wicked  —  and  you  —  well,  for 
being  so  good  and  charming,"  and  Percy 
laughed  merrily. 

**  Now,  my  dear  boy,  if  you  think  of  going 
to  church  to-morrow,  and  to  Brighton  on 
Monday,"  said  his  father,  seriously,  "  you 
must  really  lie  down  and  rest.  I  am  quite 
nervous  about  you,  you  seem  so  feverish  and 
excited." 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  299 

"  But,  papa  dear,  it  is  only  because  I  am  so 
happy,"  cried  Percy,  with  glowing  cheeks. 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  that,  my  child.  But 
you  must  try  and  rest.  I  will  get  Theo  to 
come  and  sit  beside  you,  whilst  Hugh  and  I 
go  off  with  Joe  to  see  about  the  diamonds." 

"Yes,  that  will  be  nice.  But  here  comes 
Theo,  just  in  the  nick  of  time.  Oh,  what  fun  ! 
She  has  not  heard  a  word,  so  I  shall  be  able  to 
tell  her  the  whole  story  myself.  Come  along, 
Theo,  dear,  and  we'll  have  such  a  jolly  talk." 

"  Papa,"  said  the  little  girl,  as  she  tripped 
up  to  her  father,  holding  an  orange-colored 
envelope  in  her  hand,  "  here  is  a  telegram  for 
you.  I  wonder  if  it's  anything  about  the  dia- 
monds." 

"  Mary  Ann  telegraphing  to  send  us  her 
address,  perhaps,"  said  Hugh,  laughing. 

"  Very  likely,  you  old  stupid,"  cried  Perc}r, 
giving  his  cousin  a  push.  w  But  away  you  go, 
and  get  the  bracelet  and  star  for  me." 

"  My  dear  Percy,"  said  Sir  Henry,  sadly,  as 
he  glanced  over  the  telegram,  "  we  need  not  go 
to  Brighton ;  your  Aunt  Lydia  has  gone  to  the 
Xorth.  Mr.  Torrens  has  had  some  kind  of  a 
stroke,  and  she  has  gone  off  to  take  care  of 
him." 


300  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"  I  am  very  sorry  to  hear  it,"  said  Percy. 
"  Poor  old  man,  I  hope  he  will  soon  get  better  ; 
but  what  shalt  we  do  about  the  diamonds, 
papa?" 

"  We  must  send  them  after  her,  dear.  That 
is  all  we  can  do  now.  It  would  be  impossible 
to  go  North  with  them.  I  could  not  leave 
home  at  present." 

"  What  a  pity?  Now  I  shall  not  be  able  to 
beg  her  pardon  properly,"  said  Percy.  "  I 
had  planned  it  all  so  nicely." 

"  Well,  it  can't  be  helped,  dear,"  replied  his 
father.  "  You  must  write  her  a  little  note,  and 
send  it  with  the  diamonds.  The  sight  of  them 
will,  probably,  soften  her  heart  towards  you." 

"  Did  the  policeman  catch  the  thieves, 
papa  ? "  asked  Theo.  ' '  Are  they  locked  up 
in  prison?" 

"No,  dear;  we  have  not  been  able  to  catch 
the  thieves,"  said  Sir  Henry.  "  They  are 
gone  ;  but  we  shall  soon  get  the  diamonds  ;  so, 
I  am  quite  satisfied.  Tell  Theo  the  story, 
Percy,  for  I  must  go  off  with  Joe  and  try  and 
find  where  these  pawn  shops  are.  Good-night. 
You  must  not  sit  up  too  late.  But  I  may  trust 
your  Aunt  Lucy  to  send  you  to  bed  in  good 
time.  Good-night." 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  301 

"  Good-night,  papa ;  good-night  Joe,"  cried 
Percy  and  Theo  in  a  breath. 

"  Good-night,  dear  children,"  said  the  old 
man.  "  May  God  keep  and  protect  you,"  and 
then  he  torned  away  and  followed  Sir  Henry 
from  the  room. 

«* Isn't  he  a  splendid  old  chap?"  asked 
Percy,  as  the  door  closed  upon  his  friend.  "  He 
would  go  through  fire  and  water  to  do  a  good 
turn  for  any  one,  I  believe." 

"  Would  he?"  said  Theo,  doubtfully ;  "  but 
please,  Percy,  tell  me  what  he  has  done ;  you 
all  seem  greatly  excited  about  something,  but 
I  haven't  the  faintest  idea  what  it  is." 

"  So  much  the  better,  my  dear  girl,  and  if 
you  have  a  little  patience  you  shall  soon  hear 
all  particulars.  Pm  so  glad  you  were  not  in 
the  room  when  the  old  soul  told  us  the  story ; 
for  then  I  should  not  have  the  fun  of  telling  it 
to  you." 

And,  delighted  at  having  such  an  eager 
listener,  Percy  poured  forth  the  whole  ac- 
count of  Joe  Bradley's  journey  from  Brighton, 
and  the  strange  manner  in  which  he  had  found 
the  pawn  tickc 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

FORGIVEN. 

AND  so,  at  last,  the  diamonds  were  re- 
covered, and,  to  Percy's  delight,  were 
packed  off  to  his  Aunt  Lydia,  accompanied  by 
a  note,  in  which  he  made  a  most  humble 
apology  for  his  past  conduct,  and  implored  her 
to  write,  and  tell  him  that  he  was  forgiven. 

But  Mrs.  Torrens  took  not  the  slightest 
notice  of  this  appeal,  and  merely  acknowledged 
the  receipt  of  the  jewels  in  a  short  letter  to  her 
brother. 

Percy  was  in  despair  at  this  cruel  treatment, 
and  in  a  burst  of  rage  against  his  aunt,  de- 
clared that  he  was  sorry  he  had  ever  begged 
her  pardon  at  all ;  and  if  he  had  known  she 
was  going  to  be  so  disagreeable,  he  would 
never  have  taken  the  trouble  to  hunt  for  her 
diamonds  as  he  had  done. 

"  But,  Percy  dear,"  said  Hugh,  gently ;  "  I 

(302) 


A   STORY  FOR   BOYS.  303 

thought  \*ou  were  anxious  to  repair  the  mis- 
chief that  you  had  done.  I  thought  you 
were  sorry  for  your  conduct,  and  wished  to 
atone  for  it,  not  so  much  because  it  annoyed 
your  Aunt  Lydia,  as  because  it  was  wicked, 
and  offended  God,  who  has  been  so  good  to 
you." 

"  Oh,  yes,  yes,  Hugh ;  but  how  hard  it  is  to 
remember  that  always.  You  are  right,  though  ; 
I  am  sorry  for  acting  those  lies  because  my 
conduct  offended  God;  and  I  know  —  I  feel 
that  I  well  deserve  some  punishment ;  papa  has 
been  too  good  to  me,  too  gentle  and  forgiving, 
and  I  have  grown  to  expect  every  one  to  be  the 
same." 

"  And  as  there  are  very  few  so  kind  and 
true,  you  must  not  hope  that  they  will  treat 
you  as  he  has  done.  And,  now,  Percy,  I  am 
going  to  give  you  a  little  advice." 

"  What,  more  advice?"  cried  Percy,  laugh- 
ing. "  It  seems  to  me  you  keep  an  unlimited 
supply  of  that  commodity  about  you ;  but  it  is 
generally  good,  I  must  confess.  So  let  me 
hear  what  it  is,  please." 

"  I  am  sorry  if  I  have  given  you  too  much," 
replied  Hugh,  gravely.  "  But  if  you  will  only 
follow  my  advice  now,  Percy,  old  man,  I  pro- 


304  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

mise  that  I  shall  not  give  you  any  more  for  a 
very  long  time." 

"Well,  then,  what  is  this  extraordinary 
piece  of  wisdom,  most  sage  adviser?  I  am 
impatient  to  know  what  I  am  to  do.  Am  I  to 
don  sackcloth  and  ashes  and  do  penance  for 
my  sins,  until  Aunt  Lydia  deigns  to  forgive 
me?" 

"Not  at  all  —  quite  the  contrary.  What  I 
would  advise  you  to  do  is  this :  Cultivate 
cheerfulness;  forget  Aunt  Lydia;  forget  the 
diamonds ;  forget  yourself ;  and  try  to  be  as 
happy  as  you  possibly  can." 

"  But,  my  dear  Hugh" — 

"  But,  my  dear  Percy,"  said  Hugh,  kindly, 
"  believe  me,  that  is  the  right  thing  to  do. 
You  mope  too  much.  You  nurse  your  sorrow 
and  grievances;  and,  by  doing  so,  you  make 
your  father  unhappy." 

"Oh,  Hugh!" 

"Yes,  it  is  true.  He  watches  you  night, 
noon,  and  morning,  and  when  he  sees  you 
moping  about  and  hears  you  sighing,  he  is 
most  unhappy  and" — 

"Hugh,  I  will  take  your  advice.  I  would 
do  anything  to  please  my  father ;  for  oh,  how 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  305 

good,  how  tender  he  has  been  to  me.  For  his 
sake,  then,  I  will  try  to  be  cheerful." 

"That  is  right,  Percy;  and  now  I  tell  you 
what  we  shall  do.  We  will  say  a  little  prayer 
every  day,  that  Mrs.  Torrens  may  soon  forgive 
you.  But,  except  for  that,  we  shall  forget  all 
about  her,  and  be  as  happy  as  possible." 

"Yes,  Hugh;  and  I  will  say  that  prayer 
from  the  bottom  of  my  heart.  And  oh,  if  you 
only  knew  how  grateful  I  am  to  God,  for  hav- 
ing sent  me  a  friend  like  you.  He  alone  knows 
how  much  you  have  helped  me,  and  how  you 
will  still  help  me  to  overcome  my  wicked 
temper  and  bad" — 

"Hush,  Percy;  you  have  helped  yourself, 
dear.  God  knows  how  difficult  it  is  for  you  to 
be  good.  But  He  saw  you  were  trying  hard 
to  serve  Him  well,  and  so  He  helped  you  to 
become  good  and  gentle." 

"Yes,  I  think  He  has  helped  me,  and  I 
thank  Him  for  doing  so.  But,  Hugh,  one  of 
the  helps  God  sent  me  was  you  yourself,  my 
little  friend." 

"Very  well;  perhaps  He  did  send  me  — 
indeed  I  am  sure  He  did.  And  oh,  Percy, 
what  would  have  become  of  my  mother — of 


306  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

wee  Susie,  if  I  had  not  found  Uncle  Henry's 
pocket-book?" 

"  God  alone  knows  that,  Hugh,  dear.  But 
I  am  so  glad,  so  glad  that  you  did." 

* '  And  I  thank  God  on  my  knees  every  day 
for  His  wonderful  goodness  in  allowing  me  to 
find  it." 

"How  solemn  you  look,  to  be  sure,"  cried 
Sir  Henry,  coming  into  the  room  at  this  mo- 
ment. "I  never  saw  a  pair  of  boys  look  so 
serious." 

"Do  we  really,  papa?"  said  Percy,  looking 
up  brightly  into  his  father's  face.  "And  yet 
we  have  just  been  saying  how  happy  we  are, 
and  how  jolly  we  are  going  to  be  from  this  day 
forward.  I  am  going  to  get  strong  and" — 

"I  wish  you  could,  dear  lad,"  replied  Sir 
Henry,  with  a  sigh.  "And  now,  Percy,  I 
have  come  to  tell  you  something.  The  doctor 
says  you  must  have  change  of  air ;  so  I  have 
taken  a  house  for  a  couple  of  months  down  at 
Maidenhead.  Would  you  like  that,  do  you 
think?" 

"Like  it!  I'd  love  it,  papa;  and  I'm  sure 
the  change  would  do  me  good." 

' '  I  trust  it  may  ;  but  I  am  glad  you  like  the 
idea.  The  house  will  be  ready  next  week,  and 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  307 

your  Aunt  Lucy  has  promised  to  come  and 
stay  with  us,  and  bring  Susie  with  her.  So  we 
must  be  off  as  soon  as  we  can." 

**  The  very  minute  we  can  get  into  our  new 
abode,"  said  Percy,  gayly.  "  Dear  father,  how 
good  and  kind  you  are.  I  wish  I  could  do 
something  to  show  you  how  truly  grateful  I 
am." 

"  Get  strong,  well  and  happy,  Percy.  That 
is  all  the  gratitude  I  want  or  expect." 

"  And  that  you  shall  soon  have,  dear  father. 
From  this  day  I  will  do  my  best  to  grow  strong 
and  happy." 

"And  when  you  are  that,  then  I  shall  be 
perfectly  content,  dear  boy,"  said  his  father, 
with  a  loving  kiss.  **  But  I  must  leave  you 
for  the  present.  I  have  letters  to  write  in 
time  for  the  post,"  and  he  went  away  to  the 
library. 

And  Percy  kept  his  promise.  He  tried  hard 
to  put  Hugh's  advice  in  practice,  and  was  so  far 
successful,  that  hi  a  short  time,  every  one  re- 
marked the  change  that  had  taken  place  in  his 
health  and  spirits. 

Theo  said  it  was  all  due  to  the  fresh  country 
air  that  they  enjoyed,  since  they  had  taken  up 
their  abode  in  the  beautiful  house  by  the  river. 


308  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

And  in  this  Sir  Henry  agreed  with  her ;  for  it 
seemed  to  him  that  the  boy  had  visibly  im- 
proved from  the  very  hour  that  they  had  left 
Holland  Park,  and  all  its  unpleasant  associa- 
tions. 

But  Hugh  knew  that  change  of  air,  though 
it  had  done  much  for  Percy,  was  not  the  only 
thing  that  had  made  him  so  good  and  bright. 
He  knew  how  the  boy  had  fought  and  strug- 
gled ;  he  knew  how  fervently  he  had  prayed ; 
and  he  thanked  God  for  the  grace  He  had 
bestowed  on  his  cousin,  and  begged  Him  to 
give  him  strength  to  persevere. 

Nevertheless,  the  change  from  London  to  the 
country  had  done  Percy  and  his  companions  a 
great  deal  of  good,  and  the  long  summer  days 
flew  rapidly  by  in  the  quiet  seclusion  of  beauti- 
ful Fernside. 

Mr.  Barker,  who  had  long  since  forgiven 
Percy  his  insolence,  came  down  from  town 
every  day,  and  the  boys  worked  well  and 
steadily  at  their  lessons  all  the  morning. 
Then,  when  he  had  taken  his  departure,  the 
afternoons  were  given  up  to  boating  and  tennis, 
which  occupations  they  all  found  most  enter- 
taining. 

"  I  don't  think  I  was  ever  so  happy  in  my 


A    STORY   FOR   BOYS.  309 

life  before,"  cried  Theo,  one  day,  as  she  and 
the  two  boys  strolled  up  the  lawn,  and  seated 
themselves  upon  the  grass.  "  This  place  is  so 
lovely ;  the  weather  is  so  fine,  and  everybody 
so  kind,  that  it  is  positively  enchanting.  Are 
these  your  sentiments,  my  friends?" 

"  Yes ;  they  are  mine,  most  certainly," 
answered  Hugh,  readily.  "It  is  a  delightful 
time  and  a  charming  abode.  Don't  you  agree, 
Percy?" 

«  Yes  —  I  do,"  said  Percy,  slowly ;  "  but  — 
I» 

"  Now,  no  buts,  dear  boy,"  cried  Theo, 
gayly.  "I  am  sure  you  have  been  very 
happy  since  we  came  here — just  six  weeks 
to-day.  And  you  have  been  so  good  and 
gentle." 

"  Thank  you,  Theo  dear.  I'm  glad  you 
think  that;  and  I  am  happy  —  very  happy. 
It  was  stupid  of  me  to  use  the  word  but,  if  it 
made  you  think  that  I  meant  to  say  I  was  not ; 
for  I  am  extremely  so,  and  much  stronger  than 
I  ever  was  in  my  life  before  —  far  happier  than 
I  deserve  to  be.  You  are  all  so  good  —  far  too 
good  to  me." 

"  Now,  I  call  that  rubbish,  Percy.  No  one 
could  be  too  good  to  you,"  cried  Theo.  "  I 


310  PERCY'S   REVENGE  : 

know  you  have  been  happy  for  a  long  time, 
for  it  is  easily  seen ;  but  I  just  wanted  to  hear 
you  acknowledge  it.  And  now,  I  tell  you 
what  I'll  do.  It  would  be  lovely  to  have  our 
tea  out  here,  so  I'll  run  in  and  ask  Grey  to 
bring  it  out  to  us.  Won't  that  be  capital  ?  " 

**  Delightful,"  cried  Hugh.  "  But  let  me  go 
and  give  Grey  your  message,  Theo." 

"  No,  no ;  you  just  stay  where  you  are.  I 
want  to  put  on  my  tennis  shoes.  We'll  have  a 
splendid  game  after  tea,  Hugh,  and  you'll  see 
what  a  beating  I'll  give  you."  And,  kissing 
her  hand  the  little  girl  tripped  off,  singing 
merrily  as  she  went. 

"  Hugh,"  said  Percy,  gravely,  as  Theo  dis- 
appeared, "  have  I  managed  to  put  your  last 
piece  of  advice  in  practice,  do  you  think?" 

"  Yes,  indeed,  you  have,  Percy.  I  never 
saw  any  one  change  so  much  as  you  have  done 
within  the  last  two  months.  My  mother  was 
delighted  with  you.  She  said  you  would  grow 
up  to  be  as  good  as  Uncle  Henry." 

"Oh,  Hugh, "cried  Percy,  blushing  brightly. 

"  She  did,  indeed.  She  is  so  fond  of  you. 
But  I  tell  you  what,  Percy,  you  have  surely 
had  your  reward  for  any  trouble  you  may  have 
had.  Just  think  how  happy  dear  Uncle  Henry 


A    STORY   FOE   BOYS.  311 

is.  Why,  I  declare  he  seems  to  grow  younger 
every  day." 

"  Dear  old  father !  I  am  glad  I  have  man- 
aged to  cheer  up  a  bit  for  his  sake,  more  than 
anything  else.  But,  Hugh  " — 

"Yes,  Percy." 

"  I  have  been  saying  that  little  prayer  every 
day,  and  yet  Aunt  Lydia  has  never  shown  the 
slightest  sign  of  forgiving  me.  I  never  thought 
she  could  have  held  out  so  long." 

"But,  Mr.  Ton-ens  has  been  ill,  old  chap, 
and"— 

"  Yes ;  that  is  true.  But  still,  oh,  I  wonder 
if  that  prayer  will  ever  be  granted,  Hugh.  I 
feel  so  sorry  for  Aunt  Lydia  now,  and  I'd  like 
to  tell  her  so." 

"I  am  quite  certain  your  prayer  will  be 
granted  some  day,  Percy.  All  prayers  are. 
Perhaps  it  may  not  come  just  yet ;  but  you 
must  be  patient  and  pray  every  day." 

"Yes,  indeed,  I  will,"  said  Percy,  earnestly. 
"  But,  Hugh,  isn't  that  papa  coming  down  the 
steps?  Oh,  dear,  and  he  has  a  strange  lady 
with  him.  How  provoking !  Now  our.  nice 
little  tea  will  be  spoiled.  I  wonder  where  Theo 
is?  She's  very  long  giving  her  orders." 

"  Percy,"  cried  Hugh,  laying  his  hand  upon 


312  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

his  cousin's  arm.  ' f  Prepare  yourself,  dear  boy. 
That  lady  is  —  is  " — 

*  *  Who  ?  "  said  Percy  looking  up  ?sharply  at 
the  approaching  visitor.  "I  declare  it  is,  can 
it  be?  Yes,  it  is,  really  Aunt  Lydia;"  and 
flushing  hotly  he  hurried  across  the  lawn  to 
meet  Mrs.  Torrens,  who  at  that  moment  came 
down  the  steps  into  the  garden. 

"Aunt  Lydia,  I  am  very  sorry,"  he  cried, 
nervously.  "I  hope  you  will  forgive  me  for 
my  wicked  conduct.  Oh,  have  you  conie  to 
say  you  have  forgiven  me  ?  " 

"  Yes,  dear,  dear  boy,"  she  answered  softly, 
and  putting  her  arm  round  him  she  kissed  him 
on  the  forehead.  "I  have  forgiven  you,  and 
you  must  forgive  me,  Percy,  for  any  unkind- 
ness  that  I  may  have  shown  to  you ;  from  this 
day  you  and  I  shall  be  friends." 

"  Oh,  Aunt  Lydia,"  was  all  Percy  could  say  ; 
but  he  looked  up  with  a  smile  into  his  father's 
face. 

"The  poor  lad  has  pined  for  your  for- 
giveness, Lydia,"  said  Sir  Henry.  "  And  he 
found  it  hard  to  make  himself  happy  without 
it." 

"  I  forgave  you  long  ago,  Percy ;  but  I  was 
so  much  taken  up  with  my  poor  husband 


A  STORY   FOB   BOYS.  313 

that  I  could  not  manage  to  come  to  you  any 
sooner.  I  thought  it  better  to  come  than  to 
write." 

"Yes;  so  it  was,"  said  her  nephew.  "I 
hope  uncle  is  quite  well,  now." 

"  Xo ;  he  is  not  quite  well  yet,  Percy,"  she 
said,  with  a  sigh ;  "  and  I  fear  it  will  be  a  long 
time  before  he  is.  We  are  starting  for  Mel- 
bourne in  a  few  days.  The  doctors  say  a  long 
sea  voyage  is  the  only  chance  for  him." 

"  What  a  dreadful  way  to  go,  right  off  to 
Australia,  Aunt  Lydia,"  cried  Theo,  running 
up  to  greet  the  visitor.  "  Won't  you  be  very 
sea-sick?" 

"  I  dare  say  I  shall,  Theo,  dear;  but  stfll  if 
the  voyage  does  my  poor  invalid  good,  I  shall 
not  complain.  He  is  very  hopeful  himself,  and 
quite  anxious  to  be  off." 

"  But  won't  you  stay  with  us  for  a  little 
while,  Aunt  Lydia?"  said  Percy.  "  Do  stay, 
please,  as  long  as  you  can ! " 

"  Thank  you,  Percy.  I  will  stay  for  a  few 
days,  if  you  care  to  have  me.  My  sister-in-law 
is  with  your  uncle,  so  I  am  not  uneasy  about 
him  at  present.  But  is  that  your  cousin  Hugh 
over  there?" 

»  Yes,  that  is  Hugh ;  the  best  boy  that  ever 


314  PERCY'S  REVENGE: 

lived,"  cried  Percy.  "And  oh,  Aunt  Lydia, 
please  speak  kindly  to  him." 

"Of  course  I  will,"  she  answered;  "  for  I 
am  afraid  I  treated  him  very  badly.  You  are 
surprised  to  hear  me  speak  so  gently,  Henry," 
she  said,  glancing  at  her  brother  with  a  smile. 
"  But  these  last  two  months  in  my  husband's 
sick  room  have  taught  me  much,  and  made  me 
grieve  over  many  things  that  I  have  said  and 
done  during  my  life.  Bring  Hugh  here,  Percy." 

"My  dear  Lydia,"  said  Sir  Henry,  as  his 
son  went  in  search  of  his  cousin,  who  had 
wandered  away  by  himself,  "  your  words  and 
manner  make  me  very  happy  and  deeply 
grateful." 

"  Indeed?  Then  I  am  thankful  that  I  came 
here  to-day,"  she  said,  softly  ;  "  for  I  owe  you 
much,  dear  brother  —  more  than  I  can  ever 
repay  you ;  "  and  there  were  tears  in  her  eyes 
as  she  spoke. 

"  Nonsense,  Lydia,"  he  answered  hastily. 
"  I  only  did  what  every  brother  ought  to  do  — 
helped  my  sister  when  she  wanted  a  little  help. 
I  only  did  my  duty." 

"  Nevertheless,  dear  brother,  you  did  it 
nobly,  generously ;  and  your  conduct  has 
touched  and  softened  me,  Henry,  and  made 


A    STORY    FOR   BOYS.  315 

me  ashamed  of  my  pride  and  harshness  in 
dealing  with  your  son." 

"  All  that  is  forgotten  and  forgiven  now," 
he  said,  as  he  pressed  her  hand  affectionately. 
"  Do  not  mention  it  again." 

Then  Hugh  was  brought  forward,  blushing 
and  trembling;  but  Mrs.  Torrens  looked  at 
him  so  kindly,  and  spoke  so  gently,  that  she 
put  him  at  his  ease  immediately. 

"  I  treated  you  badly,  Hugh,  and  I  apolo- 
gize. I  thought  my  brother  was  too  quick  in 
acknowledging  you  as  his  nephew,  and  I  felt 
certain  he  had  been  imposed  upon.  Now  I 
know  he  was  perfectly  right,  and  had  good 
reasons  for  all  he  did.  I  should  very  much 
like  to  meet  your  mother." 

**  You  are  very  kind,"  said  Hugh.  "  My 
mother  is  at  Richmond." 

"  But  she  is  coming  to  spend  Sunday  here," 
said  Percy ;  "  so  then  you  shall  see  her.  Aunt 
Lucy  is  the  sweetest,  kindest  of  aunties ;  and 
as  for  Susie  —  well,  she  is  a  darling." 

"I  should  be  really  glad  that  you  should 
meet  Lucy,"  said  Sir  Henry.  "  She  has  suf- 
fered much  during  her  life,  but  now  she  is 
peaceful  and  happy.  She  has  been  a  great 
comfort  to  us  all  during  Percy's  long  illness." 


316  PERCY'S  REVENGE  : 

"Yes;  so  I  heard,"  said  Mrs.  Torrens. 
"  And  now,  Hugh,  I  hope  you  have  forgiven 
me." 

"Oh,  Mrs.  Torrens,"  cried  Hugh,  "I  — 
had  nothing  to  forgive." 

"  Yes,  you  had.  I  accused  you  of  theft  — 
most  wickedly  and  unjustly.  But  I  really 
believed  that  Mary  Ann  was  a  trustworthy 
servant;  and  as  Percy  said  there  were  no 
robbers,  I  thought  some  one  who  knew  the 
house  must  have  taken  the  diamonds,  and  I 
fancied  it  was  you.  However,  I  am  glad  I  was 
wrong.  I  am  sure  it  is  pleasant  for  Percy  to 
have  such  a  bright  companion,  and  that  you 
will  always  be  good  to  him,  and  grateful  to 
your  kind  benefactor  and  uncle." 

"  Most  certainly  I  shall  —  always,"  said 
Hugh,  firmly.  "  There  is  not  much  danger  of 
my  failing  in  either  love  or  gratitude  to  my 
dear  cousin  and  uncle." 

"  That  is  right.  And  now,  Henry,  I  must 
tell  you  that  Mary  Ann  and  her  wretched  hus- 
band—  the  man  who  had  the  star  at  the  inn, 
Percy  —  were  caught  in  Liverpool  the  very  day 
they  were  to  have  sailed  for  America,  and  have 
been  sentenced  to  several  years'  penal  serv- 
itude for  some  theft,  committed  I  know  not 


A   STORY   FOR   BOYS.  317 

when  nor  how.  But  I  am  very  glad ;  for  it 
would  have  been  terrible  to  think  of  such 
wicked  creatures  getting  off  without  punish- 
ment." 

"Yes;  it  certainly  would,"  said  Sir  Henry. 
"  Yet,  I  could  not  bring  myself  to  prosecute 
them  on  account  of  the  diamonds.  It  would 
have  been  very  painful  for  us  all,  but  especially 
for  Percy." 

"  So  it  would,"  answered  Mrs.  Torrens, 
gently  ;  "  but  I  trust  that  Percy  has  had  a  les- 
son ;  and  that  no  matter  how  disagreeable  a 
person  may  be  to  him,  he  will  never  again  try 
to  be  revenged." 

"  Xever,  indeed,  aunt,  never,"  said  Percy, 
earnestly ;  "  I  have  suffered  too  much  in  every 
way  ever  to  think  of  doing  such  a  thing  again." 

"lam  quite  sure  of  that,"  remarked  his 
father;  "my  little  lad  has  grown  brave  and 
good  within  the  last  few  months;  he  now 
knows  what  it  means  to  bear  and  forbear." 

"  Yes,  father,  I  hope  I  do,"  whispered 
Percy  ;  "  but  please  don't  praise  me  too  much." 

"  I  will  not,  dear  boy ;  and  now,  my  friends, 
let  us  talk  of  something  else ;  let  this  conver- 
sation be  the  very  last  we  shall  ever  hear  of 
Percy's  revenge." 


318  PERCY'S  REVENGE: 

"Very  well,  papa  dear;  so  it  shall,"  cried 
Theo,  gayly ;  "  so  come  along  to  tea  ;  Grey  has 
set  it  out  so  nicely  in  the  little  arbor  down  by 
the  river." 

"That  will  be  charming,  dear,"  replied  Sir 
Henry ;  and  offering  his  arm  to  his  sister  he 
led  her  away. 

"  Are  there  any  more  buts  now  to  your 
happiness,  Master  Percy  ?  "  asked  Theo,  saucily. 

"Not  one,  you  old  darling,"  he  answered, 
brightly  ;  "  I  feel  as  if  I  could  never,  never  be 
unhappy  again  ; "  and  throwing  his  arms  around 
the  little  girl's  neck  he  gave  her  a  loving  kiss. 

"  Come,  Hugh,  dear  friend, "he  said,  turning 
to  his  cousin,  "  let  us  join  the  tea-party  in  the 
arbor,  and  let  us  be  as  merry  as  merry  can  be." 

Then  with  one  hand  in  Theo's  and  the  other 
in  Hugh's,  Percy  danced  down  the  garden  after 
his  father  and  aunt. 

Mrs.  Torrens  remained  at  Fernside  for  a 
week ;  and,  during  that  time,  Percy  did  all  he 
could  to  show  her  how  much  he  had  changed 
since  her  last  visit  to  Holland  Park.  And,  in- 
deed, the  children  vied  with  each  other  in  mak- 
ing her  happy  during  her  stay  amongst  them. 

This  delighted  Mrs.  Torrens,  and   she   told 


A   STORY   FOR  BOYS.  319 

Sir  Henry  that  they  were  the  nicest  Kttle 
creatures  she  had  ever  known ;  that  the  week 
of  quiet  happiness  spent  in  their  society  had 
done  her  good,  and  strengthened  her  for  her 
sea  journey. 

And  when  at  last  she  took  her  departure,  the 
farewells  were  long  and  affectionate;  for  the 
children,  whose  enemy  she  had  been  hi  former 
times,  had  learned  to  love  her,  and  were  sorry 
to  see  her  go. 

And  so  this  visit  did  a  great  deal  of  good ; 
and  when  it  was  over,  Percy  returned  to  his 
various  occupations,  feeling  more  content  than 
he  had  ever  done  in  his  life. 

And  thus  we  leave  our  young  friends  as 
happy  as  it  is  possible  for  children  to  be; 
surrounded  by  every  luxury,  yet  not  carried 
away  by  an  undue  love  of  the  good  things  of 
this  world ;  deeply  impressed  by  the  goodness 
of  God  towards  them,  and  determined  to  work 
bravely,  and  become  truly  virtuous. 

And  to  those  of  my  readers  who  are  inter- 
ested in  the  future  of  these  little  people  I  will 
say,  that  as  time  went  on  their  efforts  were 
crowned  with  success. 

Percy  grew  up  to  be  a  noble  fellow,  full  of 
talent  and  generosity;  whilst  Hugh  distin- 


PERCY S    REVENGE : 


guished  himself  in  every  way,  and  became  the 
pride  of  his  kind  benefactor  and  uncle,  a  true 
blessing  to  his  widowed  mother  and  little 
sister. 

And  Theo?  Well,  Theo  grew  to  be  what  it 
should  be  the  aim  and  object  of  every  girl  to 
become,  a  gentle,  kind-hearted  woman. 


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